Recognise 向 in words such as 向こう and 向く. Learn the whole word together with its reading and meaning.

The idea

Read 向こう as むこう and 向く as むく. 向 has 6 strokes; use the linked KanjiVG diagram to follow their order. Many kanji have Japanese-origin readings (kun) and readings borrowed through Chinese (on); learn each with its word. N3 is an approximate learning level, not an official JLPT kanji list.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingMeaning
向こうむこうthe other side; over there
向くむくto face; to turn toward
方向ほうこうdirection

Examples

  • 川かわの向むこうに小ちいさな家いえがあります。There is a small house across the river.
  • 向むこうに駅えきが見みえます。You can see the station over there.
  • この窓まどは南みなみを向むいています。This window faces south.
  • こちらを向むいてください。Please turn this way.
  • 駅えきの方向ほうこうへゆっくり歩あるきます。I walk slowly towards the station.
  • 風かぜの方向ほうこうが変かわりました。The wind changed direction.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

向こう can mean the other side of something; 向く describes facing a direction, not necessarily travelling there. Compare the shapes of 向 and 同; they are different characters.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 向こう in hiragana.

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    むこう

    向こう is read むこう; it means the other side; over there.

  2. Write the reading of 向く in hiragana.

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    むく

    向く is read むく; it means to face; to turn toward.

  3. Fill in the missing kanji: 方＿（ほうこう）.

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    向

    向 completes 方向, read ほうこう; it means direction.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 向 from memory, and read 向こう and 向く aloud. Then use one in a sentence.