verb HSK 5
Traditional 嚮往
to yearn for · to long for · to aspire to
Meaning
向往 expresses a deep desire or longing for something admirable, typically a lifestyle, place, or ideal that feels distant or aspirational. It conveys emotional yearning rather than casual wanting, often for things that represent freedom, beauty, or a better way of life.
Usage
Commonly used in somewhat formal or literary contexts to describe idealistic aspirations. Often appears with objects like 自由 (freedom), 生活 (lifestyle), or 未来 (future). Native speakers use it to express genuine longing for things they find inspiring but may not currently have.
Examples
- 01我一直向往自由自在的生活。.I've always yearned for a free and easy lifestyle.
- 02那里的自然风光令人向往。.The natural scenery there makes people long to visit.
Characters
Common collocations
- 向往自由to yearn for freedom
- 令人向往to make people yearn for (it)
- 向往的生活the life one yearns for
- 心向往之one's heart yearns for it
Antonyms
Origin
The combination of 向 (toward) and 往 (to go) creates the sense of 'going toward' or 'directing oneself toward' something desired, capturing both direction and movement toward an aspiration.