対向|たいこうtaikou[0]heiban (flat)

Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbcounter-; corresponding; face; opposite
    He failed to see the stop sign at the intersection and hit an oncoming car.
Conjugation
Dictionary form対向する(たいこうする)
Polite (masu)対向します(たいこうします)
Negative (nai)対向しない(たいこうしない)
polite (masen)対向しません(たいこうしません)
classical zu / nu対向せず・対向せぬ(たいこうせず・たいこうせぬ)
Past (ta)対向した(たいこうした)
polite (mashita)対向しました(たいこうしました)
Past negative (nakatta)対向しなかった(たいこうしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)対向しませんでした(たいこうしませんでした)
Te form対向して(たいこうして)
Potential対向できる(たいこうできる)
Passive対向される(たいこうされる)
Causative対向させる(たいこうさせる)
Causative passive対向させられる(たいこうさせられる)
Conditional (ba)対向すれば(たいこうすれば)
tara対向したら(たいこうしたら)
Volitional対向しよう(たいこうしよう)
polite (mashou)対向しましょう(たいこうしましょう)
Imperative対向しろ(たいこうしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym向かい合うむかいあうNeutralThe everyday word for sitting or standing face to face, as in 「向かい合って座る」. 「対向」 is mostly a compound element, as in 「対向車」.
  • Synonym向き合うむきあうNeutralCovers facing each other, but also confronting problems, as in 「現実と向き合う」; it carries a psychological dimension that 「対向」 lacks.
  • Synonym相対するあいたいするWrittenWritten/formal prose for two things facing each other; it can also mean being in opposition or conflict, a nuance 「対向」 does not carry.
  • Synonym正対せいたいWrittenWritten term for facing something head-on, common in sports and technical descriptions; strongly technical in flavor.
  • Related向かうむかうNeutralThe broadest term: to head or go towards something, or to face it. 「対向」 is narrower, strictly for two things facing each other.
  • Related面するめんするNeutralDescribes what a building or place faces or fronts onto, as in 「海に面した部屋」; it gives orientation, not mutual facing.
  • Related直面ちょくめんNeutralUsed for confronting difficulties and problems; it stresses running up against something, while 「対向」 stresses facing in opposite directions.
  • Related対するたいするNeutralMostly seen as 「〜に対する」; it covers facing but also 'toward' or 'regarding', giving it far broader grammatical use than 「対向」.
  • Related臨むのぞむNeutralMeans to overlook or front onto a place, and to take on a situation or occasion, as in 「試合に臨む」; the focus is on the scene one faces.
  • Antonym同方向NeutralAntonym: the same direction. It is the direct opposite of 「対向」 when that refers to facing or travelling in opposite directions.

Use 「対向」 for opposite directions on roads, as in 「対向車」 and 「対向車線」. For people face to face in daily speech pick 「向かい合う」, and for facing up to problems 「向き合う」. 「相対する」 is the written equivalent that can also mean opposition; the rest mostly cover heading towards, fronting onto or confronting.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 互たがいに向き合むきあうこと。
  2. 向き合むきあう。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

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