方向 (fāng xiàng) literally combines 方 (fāng), meaning 'side' or 'region', and 向 (xiàng), meaning 'toward' or 'facing'. Together, they form the core noun 'direction' — referring to the path or orientation along which something moves, points, or is aimed. It can indicate physical orientation (e.g., north, left, forward) or abstract orientation (e.g., a project’s strategic direction).

This word is commonly used in navigation, instructions, maps, and planning contexts. You’ll hear it in phrases like '朝哪个方向走？' (Which direction should I go?), '发展方向' (development direction), or '失去方向' (to lose one’s way/orientation). Unlike English 'direction', which can be countable ('a direction') or uncountable ('in the same direction'), 方向 is always a countable noun and typically appears with measure words like 个 or 方面 when used abstractly.