向く|むくmuku[0]heiban (flat)
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Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbto turn toward; to look (up, down, etc.)私の方を向いてください。↗Turn toward me, please.
- godan verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbto face (e.g. east) (of a building, window, etc.); to look out on; to front (on)
- godan verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbto point (of an arrow, compass needle, etc.)
- godan verb, intransitive verbto be suited to; to be fit for
- godan verb, intransitive verbto go towards; to turn to (of one's interests, feelings, etc.); to be inclined (to do)
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 向く（むく） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 向きます（むきます） |
| Negative (nai) | 向かない（むかない） |
| polite (masen) | 向きません（むきません） |
| classical zu / nu | 向かず・向かぬ（むかず・むかぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 向いた（むいた） |
| polite (mashita) | 向きました（むきました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 向かなかった（むかなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 向きませんでした（むきませんでした） |
| Te form | 向いて（むいて） |
| Potential | 向ける（むける） |
| Passive | 向かれる（むかれる） |
| Causative | 向かせる（むかせる） |
| Causative passive | 向かせられる・向かされる（むかせられる・むかされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 向けば（むけば） |
| tara | 向いたら（むいたら） |
| Volitional | 向こう（むこう） |
| polite (mashou) | 向きましょう（むきましょう） |
| Imperative | 向け（むけ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
顔が右に向く
向く describes something as facing or turning in a direction by itself (marked with が), while 向ける indicates that someone actively directs or turns something toward a direction (marked with を).
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym面するめんするWrittenWritten/formal prose. Used of a building or room facing a given direction, as in 「海に面する」 — not of someone turning around.
- Synonym向かうむかうNeutralNeutral. Means heading or going toward a place, and facing something as well; 「向く」 stresses the act of turning to face a direction.
- Antonym背くそむくWrittenWritten/formal prose. Means to go against or violate, and also to turn one's back — the opposite of 「向く」 in its facing sense.
「向く」 is for turning to face a direction, or for what suits a person. To head toward a destination, use 「向かう」; for a building fronting the sea or a street, 「面する」. 「背く」 is the opposite of facing.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
