What does 向 mean in Japanese?
向 carries the idea of facing or pointing toward something. The most immediately useful form for learners is 向こう (mukou, over there / the other side), which is one of the first direction words you will need when asking or receiving directions in Japan.
向 also builds the suffix 〜向き (〜muki, facing or suited to), which appears in signs, apartment listings, and product descriptions — 南向き (south-facing), 初心者向き (suited for beginners). Learning 向 unlocks both a core direction word and a productive suffix pattern.
Reading
On’yomi: コウ (kou)
Kun’yomi: む-く (mu-ku), む-ける (mu-keru), む-かう (mu-kau), む-こう (mu-kou)
Basic Information
| Kanji | 向 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | face toward, direction |
| Stroke Count | 6 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
How to Understand This Kanji
向く (muku, intransitive) means to face or to be suited to: 右を向く (face right), 教師に向いている (suited to teaching). 向ける (mukeru, transitive) means to direct something toward: カメラを向ける (point the camera at). 向かう (mukau) means to head toward or set off for: 東京に向かう (head for Tokyo). 向こう (mukou) is a location noun: the other side, over there. These four forms from the same kanji serve very different functions.
Common Words
- 向こう（むこう / mukou） — over there, the other side
- 方向（ほうこう / houkou） — direction
- 向く（むく / muku） — to face; to be suited to
- 向かう（むかう / mukau） — to head toward, to face
- 向かい（むかい / mukai） — opposite side, across from
- 前向き（まえむき / maemuki） — forward-facing; positive, proactive
Example Sentences
-
駅は向こうに見えます。
えきはむこうにみえます。 / Eki wa mukou ni miemasu.
You can see the station over there.
-
右を向いてください。
みぎをむいてください。 / Migi o muite kudasai.
Please face right.
-
空港に向かっています。
くうこうにむかっています。 / Kuukou ni mukatte imasu.
I am heading to the airport.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
The most important distinction is 向く vs 向かう. 向く describes facing a direction or being suited to something: 駅のほうを向く (face toward the station), この仕事は私に向いていない (this job does not suit me). 向かう describes movement heading toward a destination: 空港に向かっています (I am heading to the airport). Using them interchangeably produces unnatural sentences.
向こう (mukou) is the location word for ‘the other side’ or ‘over there’ and is essential for everyday directions: 向こうに見えます (you can see it over there), 道の向こう側 (the other side of the road). 向かい (mukai) means directly opposite or across: 向かいの席 (the seat across from you).
前向き (maemuki, forward-facing / positive) appears in job interviews, motivational contexts, and self-descriptions: 前向きに考える (think positively). The suffix 〜向き (suited for) appears in real estate listings: 南向き (south-facing), and product copy: 初心者向き (for beginners).
Summary
向 means facing or directing toward something and builds essential direction vocabulary: 向こう (over there), 方向 (direction), 向く (face/be suited to), and the suffix 〜向き (suitable for).