The preposition “向”
In Chinese “向” (xiàng) is normally followed by a pronoun, a noun or a noun phrase.
It marks the direction of the action, or who it is aimed at.
In English it usually comes out as:
towards …
to …
Basic Structure
向 + person / place / direction + Verb
Meaning:
to move towards …
or
to direct an action at …
Examples
别再向前走了
Structure
向 + 前 + 走
towards + forward + walk
别再 — don't … any more
向前 — forward
走 — to walk
Here 向 marks the direction of the movement.
以后我要多向认真的人学习
Structure
向 + 认真的人 + 学习
from conscientious people + learn
以后 — from now on
我要 — I want to
多 — more
向认真的人学习 — to learn from people who take things seriously
Here 向 shows who the action is aimed at.
孩子一看见妈妈，就向她跑过去了
Structure
向 + 她 + 跑过去
towards her + run over
孩子 — the child
一看见妈妈 — the moment he saw his mother
就 — right then
向她 — towards her
跑过去了 — ran over
Here 向她 shows which way the running is directed.
Quick Rule
向 + person / place / direction + Verb
Meaning: it shows the direction of the action, or who it is aimed at.
Examples:
向前走
向认真的人学习
向她跑过去