To Turn Toward
To Face, To Be Suitable
intransitive verb, godan verb, transitive verb
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?
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 (む).
前を向く
to face forward
ドクターの方を向く
to face the direction of the doctor
下を向く
to face downwards
入り口の方に向く
to face towards the entrance
同じ方向に向く
to face the same direction
上に向く
to face upwards
足が向く
head for a place without realizing
気が向く
to feel inclined
目が向く
to turn one's eyes towards something
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.