向(む)こう

むこう
noun
over there, opposite side
See also: 無効(むこう) (invalid, void), 向こう(むこう) (over there (variant))
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 indicates a place across from or opposite the speaker's position, implying something (a road, river, or distance) lies in between.

SPATIAL PATTERNS:

  • 川(かわ)の向(む)こう: the other side of the river
  • 道(みち)の向(む)こう: across the street
  • 海(うみ)の向(む)こう: across the sea
  • 向(む)こうに見(み)える: visible over there

PERSON/PARTY SENSE:

向(む)こう can refer to 'them' or 'the other side' in negotiations, relationships, or disputes.

  • 向(む)こうが悪(わる)い: they are in the wrong
  • 向(む)こうから連絡(れんらく)があった: we heard from them

RELATED DIRECTIONAL WORDS:

  • こちら: this side, here
  • あちら: that side, over there (polite)
  • 向(む)かい: facing, opposite (e.g., 向(む)かいの家(いえ) = house across the street)
basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:15 · Revised 2026.3.29 13:38
00500/00971_mukou