向往
Traditional: 嚮往
xiàng wǎng HSK 6

English Meaning

Categories

📚 Example Sentences

他向往自由的生活。
Tā xiàngwǎng zìyóu de shēnghuó.
He yearns for a free life.
孩子们向往去迪士尼乐园。
Háizimen xiàngwǎng qù Díshìní lèyuán.
The children look forward to going to Disneyland.
她向往成为一名医生。
Tā xiàngwǎng chéngwéi yī míng yīshēng.
She yearns to become a doctor.
我向往自由。
Wǒ xiàngwǎng zìyóu.
I yearn for freedom.
她向往爱情。
Tā xiàngwǎng àiqíng.
She longs for love.

💡 Memory Tip

Break down the characters: 向 (xiàng) means 'toward' and 往 (wǎng) means 'to go'. Together, they paint a picture of 'going toward' something you desire, helping you remember it as 'yearning to move towards' a dream.

📝 Usage Notes

It is used in both formal and informal contexts, common in both written and spoken Chinese. It is typically used to describe aspirations for future experiences (e.g., travel, careers), ideals (e.g., peace, freedom), or places.

📖 Grammar Points

Often followed by a noun or a verb phrase. Common patterns: 向往 + Noun (向往自由), 向往 + Verb Phrase (向往去旅行), 对...的向往 (duì...de xiàngwǎng, yearning for...).

🏯 Cultural Notes

Reflects a common value of having aspirations and dreams for a better life or personal fulfillment. It's often used in literature and media to describe romanticized views of distant places or lifestyles.

🔄 Similar Words

Similar to 希望 (xīwàng, to hope) and 渴望 (kěwàng, to thirst for). 希望 is more general for 'hope/wish'. 渴望 is stronger, implying an urgent desire or craving. 向往 carries a more poetic, dreamy connotation of yearning for an idealized state.

Master this word with quizzes, flashcards & more

Learn 向往 in CILI →

Related Words