Japanese word

向かい

Pronunciation

Romajimukai

Meaning

  • nounacross from

Example

駅の向かいに店があります。eki no mu ka i ni mise ga a ri ma su

There is a store across from the station.

Illustration for 向かい (across from)

More examples

向かいの家に新しい家族が引っ越してきました。mu ka i no ie ni atara shi i ka zoku ga hi kko shi te ki ma shi ta

A new family moved into the house across from us.

Core concept

Presents one location as facing another from the other side of a separating space.

Common phrases

  • 向かいに座るmu ka i ni suwa ru

    sit across from

  • 向かいの席mu ka i no seki

    the seat across from

  • 道の向かいmichi no mu ka i

    across the street

Similar words

反対側hantaigawa: The side opposite a specified place or position, without necessarily being directly aligned with it.
向こう側mukōgawa: The more distant side of a road, room, or other space.
対面taimen: The state of being directly opposite and facing another person or thing.

Definition in Japanese

ある場所や物と向き合う位置にある所。a ru ba sho ya mono to mu ki a u i chi ni a ru tokoro

Word origin

向かい (mukai) is formed from the verb 向かう (mukau, "to face") and names the position of something facing another thing.

Usage tips

  • 向かいに (mukai ni) is useful when giving directions because it identifies a place by its position relative to a landmark.

Word lists with this word