Common Meanings
1
xiàng向
towards; facing; opposite of 'back'
小船向远处驶去。
The small boat sailed into the distance.
Preposition, indicating the direction or object of an action; towards, facing, to.
请你向他问好。
Please say hello to him.
direction; ambition; aim
我们应该向着目标努力。
We should work hard towards our goals.
Approaching; near (a time or state), as in "towards evening" or "approaching dusk".
夕阳西下，天空渐渐向晚。
The sun sets in the west, and the sky gradually approaches evening.
To show partiality towards; to favor; to lean towards (as in "偏向")
老师不应该偏向任何一个学生。
Teachers should not show favoritism to any student.
Formerly; in the past.
向者，他住在城里。
Formerly, he lived in the city.
As an adverb, indicating a state or action that has been consistent or ongoing from the beginning until now; all along.
他一向很喜欢阅读。
He has always enjoyed reading.