方向
Fāngxiàng
In Chinese, the word for direction is 方向 (Fāngxiàng).
方向 is most commonly used to refer to physical orientation or spatial direction. It can also be used in a metaphorical sense to mean guidance, such as the direction of a policy.
Meaning: guidance, instruction (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 方 (fāng), meaning 'square' or 'side/direction' and 向 (xiàng), meaning 'towards' or 'facing'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express having a 'sense of direction', the suffix 感 (gǎn), meaning 'feeling' or 'sense', is added to the end of the word to create 方向感.
How do you pronounce it?
Fāngxiàng
Did you know?
- While English speakers have four cardinal directions, traditional Chinese thought recognizes five. The 'center' is treated as a distinct direction with its own associated color and element.
- In traditional Chinese architecture, the 'correct direction' of a house is determined by 'Feng Shui', often prioritizing the south to avoid cold northern winds.
- In ancient Chinese philosophy, the world was viewed as 方 (fāng), or square. This conceptualization of a square earth influenced the use of 方 to describe directions and boundaries.
Examples in context
- 你的方向感很好。You have a keen sense of direction.This sentence is useful for describing someone with a keen sense of direction using 方向.Tatoeba #1241264 by tsayng, translation #794744 by kebukebu
- 你一点方向感都没有。You have no sense of direction.This sentence is useful for describing someone who has no sense of direction using 方向.Tatoeba #1780760 by sadhen, translation #8390 by CK
- 她完全沒有方向感，很容易便會迷路。She gets lost really easily. She's got no sense of direction.This sentence is useful for describing how someone with no sense of direction gets lost easily using 方向.Tatoeba #492433 by nickyeow, translation #307962 by CK
- 请问，去 [destination] 怎么走？Excuse me, how do I get to [destination]?
- 往 [direction] 走Go [direction].
- 一直往前走Go straight ahead.
- 在第一个红绿灯处左转Turn left at the first traffic light.
- 你知道怎么去 [destination] 吗？Do you know how to get to [destination]?
- 一直走Just keep walking.
- 下个转弯右拐Take a right at the next corner.
- 请问，怎么去 [specific location]?Excuse me, how do I get to [specific location]?
- 您可以乘坐地铁，然后在第三站下车You can take the metro and then get off at the third station.
- 我给您画个地图Let me draw you a map.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Haoran and Zihan are discussing their career paths.
- 浩然 Haoran你對未來有明確的方向嗎？Nǐ duì wèilái yǒu míngquè de fāngxiàng ma?Do you have a clear direction for your future?
- 梓涵 Zihan我還在尋找適合自己的方向。Wǒ hái zài xúnzhǎo shìhé zìjǐ de fāngxiàng.I am still looking for a direction that suits me.
- 浩然 Haoran不要擔心，慢慢找就好了。Bùyòng dānxīn, mànman zhǎo jiù hǎole.Don't worry, you'll find it if you take your time.
- 梓涵 Zihan謝謝你的鼓勵。Xièxiè nǐ de gǔlì.Thank you for your encouragement.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
