Meaning

Primary

To Turn Toward

Alternatives

To Face, To Be Suitable

Word Type

intransitive verb, godan verb, transitive verb

Explanation

You know that the kanji means yonder, which is like "over there." This is the verb version of "yonder." That being said, "to yonder" isn't really a thing, so you have to think of what happens when you "look yonder." This word means to turn toward or to face. You're looking yonder, but you have to turn towards said yonder to look that way.

This word can also mean to be suitable, as in a good fit for a job, role, or situation. After all, you turn toward the things you’re most suitable for, right?

Reading

むく
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you:

You turn to face a new direction and look out into the distance. There is a single cow out there. It turns to face you too, and says moo ().

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 下を向く

    to face downwards

    ドクターの方を向く

    to face the direction of the doctor

    前を向く

    to face forward

Context Sentences

こっちを向いてください。

Turn this way, please.

下を向くと、大きい川が見えます。

When you look down, you can see a large river.

入り口は南に向いていて、日当たりがいいです。

The entrance is facing south so it gets nice sunlight.

Kanji Composition