Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== zǒuxiàng: 走向 - To Move Towards, Trend, Direction ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** zǒuxiàng, 走向, what does zouxiang mean, how to use zouxiang, Chinese word for trend, Chinese for direction, move towards in Chinese, path of development, economic trend, future direction, HSK 5 * **Summary:** Learn the meaning and use of **走向 (zǒuxiàng)**, a key Chinese word used to describe a trend, direction, or the path something is moving towards. This page breaks down how to use 走向 to discuss economic trends, a company's future, a person's life path, and major societal shifts. Understand its formal tone and how it differs from simply "going" somewhere. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zǒuxiàng * **Part of Speech:** Verb / Noun * **HSK Level:** 5 * **Concise Definition:** To move towards a destination, state, or condition; the trend or direction of development. * **In a Nutshell:** **走向 (zǒuxiàng)** is about the path or direction of a process, not just a physical journey. Think of it as "heading towards" or "trending in the direction of." It's used for big, abstract ideas like a country **走向** prosperity, a relationship **走向** its end, or a company **走向** a new phase. It carries a sense of gradual movement and development over time. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **走 (zǒu):** To walk, to go, to travel. The character is a pictograph of a person striding forward. It represents the action of moving. * **向 (xiàng):** Towards, to face, direction. This character originally depicted a window in a house, which inherently has an orientation or direction it faces. * Together, **走向 (zǒuxiàng)** literally means "to walk towards." This combination elevates the simple act of walking to a more purposeful, directional movement, often towards an abstract goal, state, or future. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== **走向 (zǒuxiàng)** is a cornerstone of formal and strategic language in China. It reflects a cultural perspective that views events, history, and life as a long, continuous path with a clear direction. In Western culture, we might talk about "goals" and "next steps," which can feel like a series of discrete points. **走向** captures the entire journey or trajectory. For example, a Western company might say, "Our goal is to be innovative." A Chinese company might say, "我们正**走向**一个更具创新力的未来" (Wǒmen zhèng **zǒuxiàng** yīgè gèng jù chuàngxīnlì de wèilái) - "We are **moving towards** a more innovative future." The use of **走向** emphasizes the process, the continuous movement, and the overall trend rather than just the final destination. This is especially prominent in government and economic discourse. China's famous Five-Year Plans are all about the nation's **走向**. The term encapsulates a sense of collective purpose, historical momentum, and long-term vision, which are highly valued concepts in Chinese society. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **走向 (zǒuxiàng)** is most common in formal writing and speech. You'll see it constantly in the news, academic papers, business reports, and official speeches. * **Economics and Politics:** This is its most frequent context. It's used to describe the direction of the economy, international relations, or social policy. (e.g., **走向**全球化 - moving towards globalization). * **Business Strategy:** Companies use it to describe their future direction or strategic path. (e.g., 公司**走向**多元化经营 - the company is moving towards diversified operations). * **Personal Life (Formal/Literary):** While less common in casual chat, it's used in writing or more serious discussions about life's path or the fate of a relationship. (e.g., 他的人生**走向**了悲剧 - his life headed towards tragedy). * **As a Noun:** It can also mean "the trend" or "the direction" itself. (e.g., 我们必须看清历史的**走向** - We must clearly see the direction of history). ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 随着科技的发展，我们的社会正**走向**一个全新的时代。 * Pinyin: Suízhe kējì de fāzhǎn, wǒmen de shèhuì zhèng **zǒuxiàng** yīgè quánxīn de shídài. * English: Following the development of technology, our society is moving towards a brand new era. * Analysis: This is a classic, formal use of **走向** to describe a large-scale societal trend. * **Example 2:** * 他们的婚姻最终**走向**了尽头。 * Pinyin: Tāmen de hūnyīn zuìzhōng **zǒuxiàng** le jìntóu. * English: Their marriage eventually came to an end. * Analysis: Here, **走向** describes the gradual path of a relationship towards its conclusion. "尽头 (jìntóu)" means "end point." * **Example 3:** * 这家公司正在**走向**国际市场。 * Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī zhèngzài **zǒuxiàng** guójì shìchǎng. * English: This company is heading for the international market. * Analysis: A common business usage, indicating a strategic direction and expansion over time. * **Example 4:** * 改革开放后，中国经济**走向**了快速发展的道路。 * Pinyin: Gǎigé kāifàng hòu, Zhōngguó jīngjì **zǒuxiàng** le kuàisù fāzhǎn de dàolù. * English: After the Reform and Opening-Up, China's economy embarked on a path of rapid development. * Analysis: This sentence uses **走向** to describe a major historical and economic shift. * **Example 5:** * 我们需要明确公司未来的**走向**。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào míngquè gōngsī wèilái de **zǒuxiàng**. * English: We need to clarify the future direction of the company. * Analysis: In this sentence, **走向** is used as a noun, meaning "direction" or "trend." * **Example 6:** * 如果不改变，他只会一步步**走向**失败。 * Pinyin: Rúguǒ bù gǎibiàn, tā zhǐ huì yībùbù **zǒuxiàng** shībài. * English: If he doesn't change, he will only head towards failure step by step. * Analysis: This shows **走向** used for a personal, negative outcome, emphasizing the process ("一步步" - step by step). * **Example 7:** * 世界格局正在**走向**多极化。 * Pinyin: Shìjiè géjú zhèngzài **zǒuxiàng** duōjíhuà. * English: The world order is trending towards multipolarization. * Analysis: A typical example from international relations news, describing a global trend. * **Example 8:** * 这个项目的**走向**完全超出了我们的预期。 * Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù de **zǒuxiàng** wánquán chāochūle wǒmen de yùqī. * English: The direction of this project completely exceeded our expectations. * Analysis: Another example of **走向** as a noun, referring to the trajectory or development of a project. * **Example 9:** * 通过教育，我们可以帮助更多的孩子**走向**成功。 * Pinyin: Tōngguò jiàoyù, wǒmen kěyǐ bāngzhù gèng duō de háizi **zǒuxiàng** chénggōng. * English: Through education, we can help more children move towards success. * Analysis: Here, "success" is an abstract state, a perfect destination for the verb **走向**. * **Example 10:** * 历史的**走向**证明了这个决策的正确性。 * Pinyin: Lìshǐ de **zǒuxiàng** zhèngmíngle zhège juécè de zhèngquèxìng. * English: The course of history has proven the correctness of this decision. * Analysis: Using **走向** as a noun ("the course/direction"), this sentence has a very formal, conclusive tone. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **Don't use 走向 for simple physical destinations.** This is the most common mistake for learners. **走向** is for abstract goals, states, or large-scale directional movement, not for going to the supermarket. * **Incorrect:** 我要**走向**商店。 (Wǒ yào zǒuxiàng shāngdiàn.) * **Correct:** 我要去商店。 (Wǒ yào qù shāngdiàn.) - I'm going to the store. * **Why it's wrong:** Using **走向** here makes it sound overly dramatic and literary, as if you are embarking on a grand quest to the store. * **走向 (zǒuxiàng) vs. 趋势 (qūshì):** * When used as a noun, **走向** is very similar to [[趋势]] (qūshì), which means "trend." They are often interchangeable. * **Example:** 经济的**走向** / 经济的**趋势** (jīngjì de zǒuxiàng / jīngjì de qūshì) both mean "the economic trend." * **Key Difference:** **走向** can also be a verb ("to move towards"), while **趋势** is only a noun. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[趋势]] (qūshì) - A very close synonym when **走向** is used as a noun. It means "trend" or "tendency." * [[方向]] (fāngxiàng) - Direction, orientation. More general than **走向**. It can be a literal compass direction or a figurative goal. **走向** describes the *movement* in a direction. * [[发展]] (fāzhǎn) - Development, growth. **发展** is the process of changing and growing, while **走向** describes the direction in which that development is headed. * [[前往]] (qiánwǎng) - To go to, to head towards. This is a formal verb for //physical// travel. Use this for traveling to a city or country, not an abstract state. * [[迈向]] (màixiàng) - To stride towards. Similar to **走向**, but implies taking a large, decisive, and positive step forward. It has a more proactive and triumphant feel. * [[奔向]] (bēnxiàng) - To run towards, to dash towards. This is much more energetic, urgent, and emotional than **走向**. Often used with things like "freedom" or "the future." (奔向自由 - bēnxiàng zìyóu).