Chinese word

指向

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhǐ xiàng

Meaning

  • verbpoint toward

Example

箭头指向门的方向。jiàn tóu zhǐ xiàng mén de fāng xiàng

The arrow points toward the door.

Illustration for 指向 (point toward)

More examples

镜头缓慢转动，指向舞台中央的讲者。jìng tóu huǎn màn zhuǎn dòng zhǐ xiàng wǔ tái zhōng yāng de jiǎng zhě

The camera slowly turns, pointing toward the speaker at the center of the stage.

Core concept

Attention, movement, or a sign turns toward a target and shows its direction.

Common phrases

  • 指向目标zhǐ xiàng mù biāo

    point toward the target

  • 指向受众zhǐ xiàng shòu zhòng

    point toward the audience

  • 指向未来zhǐ xiàng wèi lái

    point toward the future

Similar words

面向miàn xiàng: Directs something toward a particular audience, user, or purpose.
针对zhēn duì: Targets a particular person, problem, or need with a response or measure.
朝向cháo xiàng: Turns or points toward a particular direction or position.
面对miàn duì: Deals directly with a situation, fact, or difficulty.

Definition in Chinese

把某物或注意力朝向某个方向或对象，表示目标或倾向。bǎ mǒu wù huò zhù yì lì cháo xiàng mǒu gè fāng xiàng huò duì xiàng biǎo shì mù biāo huò qīng xiàng

Word origin

指向 (zhǐxiàng, "point toward") is formed from 指 (zhǐ, "point") + 向 (xiàng, "toward"), extending a visible pointing action to a target or direction.

Usage tips

  • English often uses separate verbs for physical direction and mental focus, while this Chinese verb can cover both in one pattern.

Other meanings

  • directverb
  • indicateverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 指向性zhǐ xiàng xìngdirectionalitynoun

Word lists with this word