面する|めんするmensuru[3]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Definitions
  1. suru verb (irregular), intransitive verbto face on; to look out on to
    ニューヨークは、ハドソン川かわに面めんしている。↗
    New York is on the Hudson River.
Conjugation
Dictionary form面する(めんする)
Polite (masu)面します(めんします)
Negative (nai)面しない(めんしない)
polite (masen)面しません(めんしません)
classical zu / nu面せず・面せぬ(めんせず・めんせぬ)
Past (ta)面した(めんした)
polite (mashita)面しました(めんしました)
Past negative (nakatta)面しなかった(めんしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)面しませんでした(めんしませんでした)
Te form面して(めんして)
Potential面できる(めんできる)
Passive面される(めんされる)
Causative面させる(めんさせる)
Causative passive面させられる(めんさせられる)
Conditional (ba)面すれば(めんすれば)
tara面したら(めんしたら)
Volitional面しよう(めんしよう)
polite (mashou)面しましょう(めんしましょう)
Imperative面しろ(めんしろ)

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

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym臨むのぞむNeutralFaces an occasion or situation, overlooks scenery, or takes something on with a set attitude, as in 「試合に臨む」; 「面する」 is about a building's orientation.
  • Synonym向くむくNeutralTurns or points in a direction, as in 「南向き」, and can mean being suited to something, as in 「教師に向く」; 「面する」 centers on fronting a street or the sea.
  • Synonym向かうむかうNeutralMeans heading toward or facing something, with a wide range of uses; 「面する」 centers on buildings fronting a street or the sea.
  • Synonym対するたいするNeutralMeans being directed at or toward something, or how one treats it, as in 「質問に対する答え」; 「面する」 is about spatial orientation.
  • Related向かい合うむかいあうNeutralUsed when people, lines, or buildings face each other, as in 「向かい合って座る」; 「面する」 is a one-sided facing outward.
  • Related向き合うむきあうNeutralMeans seriously confronting a problem or the other person; 「面する」 leans toward facing in a physical, spatial sense.
  • Related直面ちょくめんNeutralMeans being directly confronted with hardship or crisis, as in 「危機に直面」; 「面する」 is about spatial facing.
  • Related対向たいこうNeutralCovers facing or moving toward each other, as in 「対向車」; 「面する」 is about facing a place.
  • Related面と向かうめんとむかうNeutralAn idiomatic phrase for meeting someone in person, face to face; 「面する」 is about spatial orientation.
  • Related相対するあいたいするWrittenA written/formal word for standing opposite one another; it can also mean being in opposition, while 「面する」 is simply about facing a place.
  • Related正対せいたいWrittenWritten/formal term for facing something squarely front-to-front; 「面する」 is about a building's orientation.
  • Related差し向かうさしむかうWrittenWritten/formal word for two people sitting face to face; 「面する」 is about a building's orientation.
  • Related対すたいすWrittenA written/formal variant of 「対する」; 「面する」 is about spatial orientation.
  • Antonym後ろ向くNeutralMeans turning around to face away; it contrasts with 「面する」 only in the forward-vs-backward direction of facing, and the usage does not really correspond.

Use 「面する」 for a building fronting a street, the sea, or some place, as in 「海に面した部屋」. For taking on an occasion use 「臨む」, for a crisis 「直面」, for sitting face to face 「向かい合う」, and for seriously tackling a problem 「向き合う」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. ある方向ほうこうを向むく。向き合むきあって接せっする。
Kanji in this word
See also

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

Say it right, write it right

Core lookup works fully offline, with cloud pronunciation and one-tap save & review. Free, no sign-up.

Free downloadWindowsFree downloadmacOSDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
MobileiOS / Android

Android

QR code for the Google Play pageGet it on Google Play

Scan it with your Android phone to install, or search for “Tomoshi” on Google Play.

iOS

QR code for the App Store pageDownload on the App Store

Scan it with your iPhone camera to install, or search for “Tomoshi” in the App Store.

Install the browser extensionLook words up on any web page · Chrome / Edge / Safari

Screenshot of a Tomoshi lookup resultScreenshot of Tomoshi lookup results on a phone

Windows macOS Chrome / Edge / Safari extension iOS / Android