向着
xiàngzhe · HSK 7
Toward
➡️ 向 (xiàng = direction/facing) + 着 = moving toward; 向着 points the action that way
向 carries the sense of facing or heading a direction; the particle 着 attaches it to ongoing motion, so 向着 marks the thing being headed toward, like an arrow aimed at a target.
向 — roof 宀 + mouth 口
Originally a pictograph of a house with a north-facing window, showing an opening in a wall under a roof. The early meaning was 'north window,' which extended to 'the direction something faces,' then broadly to 'toward' or 'direction.' The modern shape simplified the window into 口.
着 — sheep 羊 (top) + eye 目 (bottom)
着 originated as a variant of 著, which depicted plants emerging visibly above ground (grass radical 艹 over 者). Over time 着 split off to carry meanings like 'attach,' 'wear,' or a verb suffix marking ongoing action (zhe), while 著 kept senses like 'manifest' or 'author.'