Japanese word

面する

Pronunciation

Romajimensuru

Meaning

  • verbface

Example

このホテルは海に面しています。ko no ho te ru wa umi ni men shi te i ma su

This hotel faces the sea.

Illustration for 面する (face)

More examples

この部屋は南に面しています。ko no heya wa minami ni men shi te i ma su

This room faces south.

Core concept

Expresses the relation of a building or place to the scene or direction in front of it.

Common phrases

  • 南に面するminami ni men su ru

    face south

  • 海に面するumi ni men su ru

    face the sea

  • 道路に面するdō ro ni men su ru

    face a road

Similar words

向くmuku: To have the front or one side directed toward a place or direction.
臨むnozomu: To overlook a place or extend toward it from a building or room.

Definition in Japanese

建物や土地などが、特定の場所や方向に向かい合う位置にある。tate mono ya to chi na do ga toku tei no ba sho ya hō kō ni mu ka i a u i chi ni a ru

Word origin

面する (mensuru) consists of 面 (men, "front" or "surface") and する (suru, "do"), giving the sense of being oriented toward something.

Usage tips

  • 面する (mensuru) is more formal than everyday English face and commonly describes buildings, roads, rooms, and other fixed locations.

Other meanings

  • overlookverb

Word lists with this word