向 Introducing an Action Target in Chinese
向 + 对象
The preposition 向 introduces the person or group toward whom an action is directed. The target follows 向, and the complete phrase precedes verbs such as 学习, 请假, 说明, or 道歉. Directional 向 can also introduce a place, but this lesson focuses on interpersonal action targets.
Published July 31, 2026
Reviewed July 31, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Subject + 向 + Target + Predicate
Read the structure
The preposition 向 introduces the person or group toward whom an action is directed. The target follows 向, and the complete phrase precedes verbs such as 学习, 请假, 说明, or 道歉. Directional 向 can also introduce a place, but this lesson focuses on interpersonal action targets. Keep the model Subject + 向 + Target + Predicate visible while you compare each sentence.
我们要向班长学习。
We should learn from the class monitor.
Choose the right context
Name the person targeted by learning, asking, or explaining. Place 向 plus its target before the action verb. Direct a communicative or social action toward someone.
你要向老师请假。
You need to ask the teacher for leave.
Respect the boundary
Do not insert the verb between 向 and its target. Do not place 向 after the completed target phrase. Do not assume every verb accepts the same 向 target phrase.
我们要向学习班长。
(We should toward learn the monitor.)
Repair the pattern
The action verb splits 向 from its target: 向 must directly precede the target 班长 before the predicate 学习. The target is placed after a verb that should follow it: The complete 向老师 phrase must come before the action 请假.
我们要向班长学习。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
我们要向班长学习。
We should learn from the class monitor.
我们
Subject
This part occupies the Subject position in the model pattern.
要
向
This part occupies the 向 position in the model pattern.
向
Target
This part occupies the Target position in the model pattern.
班长
Predicate
This part occupies the Predicate position in the model pattern.
学习
Subject
This part occupies the Subject position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
我们要向班长学习。
We should learn from the class monitor.
你要向老师请假。
You need to ask the teacher for leave.
他向大家说明了情况。
He explained the situation to everyone.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Name the person targeted by learning, asking, or explaining.
- Place 向 plus its target before the action verb.
- Direct a communicative or social action toward someone.
Do not use it when
- Do not insert the verb between 向 and its target.
- Do not place 向 after the completed target phrase.
- Do not assume every verb accepts the same 向 target phrase.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
我们要向学习班长。
我们要向班长学习。
The action verb splits 向 from its target
向 must directly precede the target 班长 before the predicate 学习.
你要向请假老师。
你要向老师请假。
The target is placed after a verb that should follow it
The complete 向老师 phrase must come before the action 请假.
我们要向学习班长。
向 must directly precede the target 班长 before the predicate 学习.
你要向请假老师。
The complete 向老师 phrase must come before the action 请假.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 向 + 对象.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 向 + 对象. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
向 Introducing an Action Target Questions
How is 向 different from 朝?
Both can mark direction. 向 also commonly introduces an interpersonal target before actions such as 学习 or 请假.
Can 向 introduce a place?
Yes. Directional uses such as 向北走 are common, but this card focuses on a person or group targeted by an action.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, Level 3 item 【三24】, PDF p. 202
Lists 向 introducing an action target at Level 3 with 学习 and 请假 examples.
Official source现代汉语语法课程讲义
包头师范学院 · 包头师范学院 · 2024
Locator: Course PDF pp. 17–18, prepositions and object relations
Explains the preposition-complement unit and its usual adverbial position before a predicate.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
朝朝: Toward a Direction
向 and 朝 overlap in direction, while 向 also commonly introduces an interpersonal action target.
Compare
对……对: Directing an Attitude or Action
Compare 向 before directed actions with 对 before attitudes, treatment, and broader target relations.
Continue learning
同 / 与 + 对象 + 动词同 and 与 as Object-Introducing Prepositions
Extend participant marking to formal 同 and 与 before compatible interaction verbs.
Compare
跟跟 for Doing Something Together
Distinguish directing an action toward someone from performing an action together with a companion.
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Easy to confuse
向 and 朝 overlap in direction, while 向 also commonly introduces an interpersonal action target.