1.
over there, the other side
A place at a distance or on the opposite side.
向こうに山が見える。
You can see a mountain over there.
橋の向こうに公園がある。
There's a park on the other side of the bridge.
海の向こうに島が見えるので、今度行ってみたい。
I can see an island across the sea, and I'd like to visit it sometime.
2.
the other party
The person or people on the other side of an interaction.
向こうから連絡があった。
They contacted us.
向こうの意見も聞いてみよう。
Let's also hear what the other party has to say.
向こうが先に約束を破ったので、こちらも契約を解除した。
The other party broke the agreement first, so we also canceled the contract.
向こう has two main uses: indicating a distant location and referring to the other party.
MEANINGS:
1. Physical location: over there, across, the other side
2. The other party: them, the other side (in negotiations, communications)
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 向こうに見える: can be seen over there
- 向こう側: the other side, opposite side
- 向こうから来る: to come from over there
- 向こうの意見: the other party's opinion
CONTRAST:
- こちら: this side, here, we/us
- 向こう: that side, over there, they/them