Japanese word

向こう側

Pronunciation

Romajimukōgawa

Meaning

  • nounother side

Example

道の向こう側に小さな店があります。michi no mu kō gawa ni chii sa na mise ga a ri ma su

There is a small shop on the other side of the street.

Illustration for 向こう側 (other side)

More examples

向こう側から犬の鳴き声が聞こえます。mu kō gawa ka ra inu no na ki goe ga ki ko e ma su

I can hear a dog barking from the other side.

Core concept

Presents a place, position, or group as lying across from or beyond the point used for comparison.

Common phrases

  • 向こう側にあるmu kō gawa ni a ru

    be on the other side

  • 向こう側へ渡るmu kō gawa e wata ru

    cross to the other side

  • 向こう側から来るmu kō gawa ka ra ku ru

    come from the other side

Similar words

反対側hantaigawa: The side or position on the other side of a stated point.
向かい側mukaigawa: The side or position situated face to face with a stated place.
向こうmukō: A place, position, or group on the far side of a point used for reference.

Definition in Japanese

話し手や基準点の反対方向にある場所や立場。hana shi te ya ki jun ten no han tai hō kō ni a ru ba sho ya tachi ba

Word origin

The compound 向こう側 (mukōgawa) joins 向こう (mukō, "the far side") with 側 (gawa, "side"); 側 is read gawa here because of voicing in the compound.

Usage tips

  • 向こう側 (mukōgawa) appears in both physical directions and discussions between opposing parties, so context shows whether the reference is a place or a position.

Other meanings

  • other partynoun

Opposites

  • こちら側kochiragawathis sidenoun

Word lists with this word