向(む)こう

むこう
noun
over there, opposite side
direction
See also: 無効(むこう) (invalid, void)
1. over there, the other side
A place that is across from or on the opposite side from where the speaker is.
向(む)こうに山(やま)が見(み)える。
Mountains are visible over there.
川(かわ)の向(む)こうに町(まち)があります。
There's a town on the other side of the river.
道(みち)の向(む)こうに店(みせ)が並(なら)んでいる。
Shops are lined up on the other side of the street.
海(うみ)の向(む)こうには外国(がいこく)があります。いつか行(い)ってみたいです。
There are foreign countries across the sea. I want to visit someday.
窓(まど)から見(み)ると、向(む)こうの山(やま)が白(しろ)くなっていた。雪(ゆき)が降(ふ)ったのだろう。
Looking from the window, the mountains over there had turned white. It must have snowed.
2. the opposite party, they
The other side in a negotiation or relationship.
向(む)こうに聞(き)く。
To ask them (the other party).
向(む)こうから電話(でんわ)がありました。
We received a phone call from them (the other party).
向(む)こうの意見(いけん)も聞(き)いてみよう。
Let's also hear what the other party has to say.
向(む)こうの会社(かいしゃ)と話(はなし)をする。
To talk with the other company.
この問題(もんだい)について、向(む)こうは何(なに)も言(い)っていません。
They haven't said anything about this issue.
向(む)こうが悪(わる)いのだから、こちらから何(なに)も言(い)う必要(ひつよう)はないと思(おも)います。
Since they're in the wrong, I don't think we need to say anything from our side.
向(む)こうが先(さき)に約束(やくそく)を破(やぶ)ったので、こちらも契約(けいやく)を解除(かいじょ)した。
The other party broke the agreement first, so we also canceled the contract.

向(む)こう indicates a place across from or beyond the speaker's position, implying that something (a road, a river, distance) lies in between. It also refers to the other party in a dealing: them, the other side.

Common patterns

Usage

In negotiations, disputes, or dealings between people or groups, 向(む)こう means "them," paired with こちら for "us."

Related words

Related Words

Related: こちら (this side, here)
Related: あちら (that side, over there)
Related: 向(む)かい (facing, opposite)
Related: 向(む)く (to face, to turn toward)
basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:15 · Revised 2026.10.1 17:29
00500/00971_mukou