向こう・向う|むこうmukou[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N5approx.Common
Which spelling to use
向こう向こう is the most common written form, using mixed kanji and kana; it is the recommended choice for beginners.
向う向う is a less common kanji-and-kana variant with irregular okurigana; beginners should generally choose 向こう instead.
Definitions
  1. nounopposite side; other side
    彼女かのじょは背せが低ひくすぎて塀へいの向むこうがみえなかった。↗
    She was too short to see over the fence.
  2. nounover there; ahead; beyond; (in the) distance; far away; far off
    その男の子おとこのこは向むこうにいます。↗
    The boy is over there.
  3. noundestination; there (somewhere distant, esp. abroad)
  4. nounthe other party; the other side
    向むこうの思おもう壷つぼだぞ。↗
    You will play into their hands.
  5. nounfrom now; next (e.g. two weeks); coming ...; from ... onwards
Synonyms & antonyms
  • Related反対はんたいNeutralNeutral. Means the opposite or facing side, as in 「反対側」; it stresses opposite direction rather than distance, so it can't stand in for 「向こう」 meaning 'over there'.
  • AntonymこちらCasualColloquial. The opposite of 「向こう」: points to the speaker's side or to here. Also used politely to mean 'our side'.

For 'the other side' or 'over there', use 「向こう」. Use 「反対側」 for the side facing or opposite something, and 「こちら」 for this side, where the speaker is.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. あちらと類義語るいぎご。こちらと距離きょりを隔へだてた位置いち。また遠とおく離はなれた場所ばしょ。
  2. ある地点ちてんや場所ばしょから先さき。
  3. 前方ぜんぽう、正面しょうめんの方向ほうこうのこと。
  4. 相手あいての住すんでいる場所ばしょ。また旅行りょこうなどの行き先いきさき。引っ越ひっこす先さき。現地げんち。
  5. 相手方あいてがたのこと。
  6. ある時点じてんから先さき。
  7. ある時点じてんから先さきの。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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