xiàngwǎng: 向往 - To Yearn For, To Look Forward To

xiàngwǎng: 向往 - To Yearn For, To Look Forward To

Quick Summary

Keywords: 向往, xiàngwǎng, yearn for, long for, look forward to, Chinese word for yearning, how to say aspire to in Chinese, what does xiangwang mean, 向往的生活, longing for, Chinese dream
Summary: 向往 (xiàngwǎng) is a Chinese verb that describes a deep, heartfelt yearning or longing for a person, place, or an idealized state of being that is currently out of reach. More than a simple “want,” it captures a sense of admiration and aspiration towards something beautiful and distant. Understanding 向往 is key to grasping Chinese concepts of dreams, lifestyle goals, and the romantic pursuit of a better, often more tranquil, existence.

Core Meaning

Pinyin (with tone marks): xiàngwǎng
Part of Speech: Verb
HSK Level: HSK 5
Concise Definition: To yearn for or long for something that is admired and not yet attained.
In a Nutshell: Imagine looking out a window towards a beautiful mountain peak in the distance. You're not just looking at it; your heart is “going towards” it. That feeling is 向往. It's a combination of admiration, longing, and the desire to experience a particular lifestyle, place, or feeling. It's less about possessing an object and more about embodying an ideal.

Character Breakdown

向 (xiàng): This character means “towards,” “to face,” or “direction.” It depicts a window on a house, suggesting the act of looking out or facing a certain direction. It provides the directional element of the word.
往 (wǎng): This character means “to go towards” or “to head for.” It implies movement in a specific direction.
Combined Meaning: The characters literally combine to mean “towards go,” painting a vivid picture of one's spirit and mind moving towards a desired goal. It's an active, directional longing that goes beyond passive wishing.

Cultural Context and Significance

In Chinese culture, 向往 is often tied to ideals of tranquility, simplicity, and harmony with nature. A classic cultural touchstone is the concept of a 桃花源 (táohuāyuán), or “Peach Blossom Spring,” an idyllic, utopian place free from the troubles of the outside world, as described in a famous poem by Tao Yuanming. Many Chinese people 向往 a life that resembles this ideal—a peaceful, pastoral existence away from the stress of big city life. This is perfectly captured in the popular reality TV show, 向往的生活 (xiàngwǎng de shēnghuó), “Back to Field,” where celebrities retreat to the countryside to live simply.
Comparison to Western Concepts: While it can be translated as “to yearn for,” 向往 differs from the typical Western idea of “The American Dream.” The American Dream often focuses on material success, upward mobility, and individual achievement. 向往, by contrast, is frequently more spiritual, romantic, and lifestyle-oriented. It's less about “making it” and more about achieving a certain state of inner peace or living a life of authentic, simple beauty.

Practical Usage in Modern China

Daily Conversation: People use 向往 when talking about their dream vacation spots (“I yearn for the blue skies of Greece”), ideal careers (“I've always yearned to be a writer”), or a different way of life (“He yearns for the simple life in the countryside”).
Social Media: It's very common to see 向往 in social media captions, especially for travel photos, artistic posts, or reflections on life goals. For example, posting a picture of a beautiful library with the caption, “This is the kind of study I've always yearned for.”
Connotation and Formality: The word carries a very positive, sincere, and slightly formal or literary connotation. It expresses a deep and noble desire, not a frivolous want. It's appropriate in both spoken and written Chinese.

Example Sentences

Example 1:
- 我向往那种简单的田园生活。
- Pinyin: Wǒ xiàngwǎng nà zhǒng jiǎndān de tiányuán shēnghuó.
- English: I yearn for that kind of simple, pastoral life.
- Analysis: This is a classic use of 向往, expressing a desire for a specific, idealized lifestyle often contrasted with busy urban life.
Example 2:
- 巴黎是很多艺术家向往的圣地。
- Pinyin: Bālí shì hěnduō yìshùjiā xiàngwǎng de shèngdì.
- English: Paris is a sacred place that many artists yearn for.
- Analysis: Here, 向往 is used to describe the longing for a specific place that represents an ideal (in this case, for art and romance).
Example 3:
- 孩子们总是向往成年人的世界，觉得那里充满了自由。
- Pinyin: Háizimen zǒngshì xiàngwǎng chéngniánrén de shìjiè, juéde nàlǐ chōngmǎnle zìyóu.
- English: Children always look forward to the world of adults, feeling it's full of freedom.
- Analysis: This shows that the object of yearning can be a stage of life or an abstract concept like “the adult world.”
Example 4:
- 每一个被束缚的灵魂都向往自由。
- Pinyin: Měi yí ge bèi shùfù de línghún dōu xiàngwǎng zìyóu.
- English: Every shackled soul yearns for freedom.
- Analysis: This is a more literary and profound example, where the object of 向往 is the abstract concept of freedom.
Example 5:
- 他向往古代侠客那种行侠仗义的生活。
- Pinyin: Tā xiàngwǎng gǔdài xiákè nà zhǒng xíngxiá-zhàngyì de shēnghuó.
- English: He yearns for the kind of life of ancient knights-errant, who championed justice.
- Analysis: This demonstrates that one can yearn for a historical period or a way of life that no longer exists.
Example 6:
- 她是我向往成为的那种人：独立、勇敢、善良。
- Pinyin: Tā shì wǒ xiàngwǎng chéngwéi de nà zhǒng rén: dúlì, yǒnggǎn, shànliáng.
- English: She is the kind of person I aspire to be: independent, brave, and kind.
- Analysis: This shows that you can 向往 becoming a certain type of person or possessing certain qualities.
Example 7:
- 对知识的向往是他不断学习的动力。
- Pinyin: Duì zhīshi de xiàngwǎng shì tā búduàn xuéxí de dònglì.
- English: The yearning for knowledge is the driving force behind his continuous learning.
- Analysis: In this sentence, 向往 functions as a noun, meaning “the yearning” or “the longing.”
Example 8:
- 我一直很向往去西藏旅行，感受那里的神圣和纯净。
- Pinyin: Wǒ yìzhí hěn xiàngwǎng qù Xīzàng lǚxíng, gǎnshòu nàlǐ de shénshèng hé chúnjìng.
- English: I have always really longed to travel to Tibet and experience its sacredness and purity.
- Analysis: A very common pattern: 向往 + Verb Phrase (e.g., “to travel to a place,” “to live a certain way”).
Example 9:
- 从他的眼神里，我能看到对未来的向往。
- Pinyin: Cóng tā de yǎnshén lǐ, wǒ néng kàndào duì wèilái de xiàngwǎng.
- English: From the look in his eyes, I can see his hope and longing for the future.
- Analysis: Another example of 向往 used as a noun, representing “longing” or “aspiration.”
Example 10:
- 这所大学是无数学子向往的学术殿堂。
- Pinyin: Zhè suǒ dàxué shì wúshù xuézǐ xiàngwǎng de xuéshù diàntáng.
- English: This university is an academic palace that countless students yearn for.
- Analysis: This highlights its use in the context of ambitions and life goals, such as getting into a prestigious school.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

向往 (xiàngwǎng) vs. 想要 (xiǎngyào) vs. 希望 (xīwàng): This is a critical distinction for learners.
- 想要 (xiǎngyào): “To want.” This is for immediate, concrete, and often mundane desires.
  - Correct: 我想要一个苹果 (Wǒ xiǎngyào yí ge píngguǒ) - I want an apple.
  - Incorrect: 我向往一个苹果 (Wǒ xiàngwǎng yí ge píngguǒ) - This is grammatically awkward and semantically wrong because an apple is not a grand, idealized concept.
- 希望 (xīwàng): “To hope.” This expresses a wish for a positive outcome, often related to a situation or another person. It's less about personal, deep longing.
  - Example: 我希望你明天考试顺利 (Wǒ xīwàng nǐ míngtiān kǎoshì shùnlì) - I hope your exam goes well tomorrow.
- 向往 (xiàngwǎng): “To yearn for.” This is reserved for big, beautiful, and often distant concepts: a lifestyle, a place, a state of being, an ideal. It's about a deep emotional pull towards something you admire.

Related Terms and Concepts

渴望 (kěwàng) - To thirst for, to crave. This implies a more intense, urgent, and almost desperate desire than 向往.
憧憬 (chōngjǐng) - To long for, to look forward to (the future). Very similar to 向往, but almost exclusively used for a beautiful vision of the future.
梦想 (mèngxiǎng) - Dream; aspiration. A 梦想 is the goal or ideal that a person 向往.
追求 (zhuīqiú) - To pursue; to seek. This is the action one takes to achieve the life or goal they 向往.
羡慕 (xiànmù) - To envy; to admire. You might 羡慕 (envy) someone who is already living the life you 向往 (yearn for).
期待 (qīdài) - To look forward to; to expect. This is for a specific, anticipated event (like a holiday or meeting a friend), not a broad, idealized state.
桃花源 (táohuāyuán) - Peach Blossom Spring. The archetypal utopia in Chinese literature; a classic object of cultural 向往.

Table of Contents

xiàngwǎng: 向往 - To Yearn For, To Look Forward To

Quick Summary

Core Meaning

Character Breakdown

Cultural Context and Significance

Practical Usage in Modern China

Example Sentences

Nuances and Common Mistakes

Related Terms and Concepts