Japanese word

向こう

Pronunciation

Romajimukō

Meaning

  • nounother side

Example

川の向こうに町があります。kawa no mu kō ni machi ga a ri ma su

There is a town on the other side of the river.

Illustration for 向こう (other side)

More examples

橋を渡ると、向こうに公園が見えます。hashi o wata ru to mu kō ni kō en ga mi e ma su

When you cross the bridge, you can see a park on the other side.

Core concept

Marks a place on the far side from the speaker or from a stated reference point.

Common phrases

  • 川の向こうkawa no mu kō

    the other side of the river

  • 向こうにmu kō ni

    on the other side

  • 向こうからmu kō ka ra

    from the other side

Similar words

向こう側mukōgawa: A place on the far side from the speaker or a stated reference point.
反対側hantaigawa: The side that is opposite a stated place, object, or person.
向かいmukai: A place directly across from a person or location, often separated by a road or space.

Definition in Japanese

話し手や基準となる場所から見て、隔てるものの反対側にある場所。hana shi te ya ki jun to na ru ba sho ka ra mi te heda te ru mo no no han tai gawa ni a ru ba sho

Word origin

向こう (mukō) is a native Japanese noun related to 向く (muku, "to face"), linking the idea of facing with the far side.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 向こう (mukō) can mean "over there" as well as "the other side," so the surrounding place often fixes the sense.

Opposites

Word lists with this word