向(む)かって

むかって

expression

facing; toward; addressed to

1. facing; toward; addressed to (someone)

The て form of 向(む)かう (to face, to head toward), used like a postposition: ～に向(む)かって 'toward, facing, addressed at'. Marks the direction of motion, of attention, or of speech.

駅(えき)に向(む)かって歩(ある)いた。

I walked toward the station.

窓(まど)に向(む)かって座(すわ)っている。

I'm sitting facing the window.

上司(じょうし)に向(む)かってそんな口(くち)調(ちょう)で話(はな)してはいけない。

You shouldn't speak to your boss in that tone.

未来(みらい)に向(む)かって一歩(いっぽ)踏(ふ)み出(だ)そう。

Let's take a step toward the future.

Functions almost as a postposition. The full pattern is Xに向(む)かって — the に is required.

Common collocations

Physical direction: 北(きた)に向(む)かって進(すす)む (head north)
Facing position: 鏡(かがみ)に向(む)かって (facing the mirror)
Target of speech or action: みんなに向(む)かって叫(さけ)んだ (shouted at everyone)
Abstract goal: 目標(もくひょう)に向(む)かって (toward a goal)

Similar words

～に対(たい)して: against; toward — more abstract, often for stance or attitude
～の方(ほう)へ: in the direction of — less directional intent than 向(む)かって
～へ: to; toward — bare directional particle without the 'facing' nuance

general

Added 2026.6.3 13:14 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

28500/28659_mukatte