---
title: "Xiangwang Meaning: 向往 (xiàngwǎng) Means “to yearn for”"
description: "向往 (traditional 嚮往, xiàngwǎng) means “to yearn for; to look forward to”. Hear its tones, see what 向 and 往 each mean and a real sentence that uses it."
canonical: "https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/xiangwang"
published: "2026-10-21"
updated: "2026-11-06"
author: "Mandarin The Wild"
---

[What does it mean in Chinese?](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning)

# What does 向往 mean?

猫头鹰māotóuyīngowl

向往 xiàngwǎng

## to yearn for; to look forward to

## Its characters

1. 向 xiàng toward
2. 往 wǎng toward

## In a sentence

我一直向往海边的生活。 I have always yearned for life by the sea.

[More about 向往](https://mandarinthewild.com/words/%E5%90%91%E5%BE%80)

## More words with 向 or 往

- [导向 dǎoxiàng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/daoxiang)
- [定向 dìngxiàng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/dingxiang)
- [方向 fāngxiàng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/fangxiang)
- [横向 héngxiàng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/hengxiang)
- [交往 jiāowǎng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/jiaowang)
- [流向 liúxiàng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/liuxiang)
- [面向 miànxiàng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/mianxiang)
- [偏向 piānxiàng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/pianxiang)
- [前往 qiánwǎng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/qianwang)
- [倾向 qīngxiàng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/qingxiang)

## Keep 向往 for Review

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