face toward / direction
N3- Onyomi
- コウ
- Kunyomi
- む(く)
- Stroke count
- 6
- JLPT
- N3
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 向 down and you get 丿 (sweeping stroke) — a stroke sweeping down to the left, and beside it 冂 (enclosure) — an open-bottomed frame around the middle. Picture a wall with one square window cut in it and light streaming straight out the way it faces, put 向 inside it, and let that scene stand for "face toward" — face toward / direction. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 6
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は6画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 6 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
向かう
mukau
to head toward
向上
koujou
improvement
出向
shukkou
secondment
志向
shikou
orientation
傾向
keikou
tendency
動向
doukou
trend
Example sentences (3)
今、駅に向かっています。
いま、えき に むかっています。
ima, eki ni mukatteimasu.
I am heading to the station now.
会議室に向かう前に、資料を印刷しておきます。
かいぎしつ に むかう まえ に、しりょう を いんさつ して おきます。
kaigishitsu ni mukau mae ni, shiryou o insatsu shite okimasu.
Before heading to the meeting room, I will print the materials.
ガラスの向こうに、きれいな庭が見えます。
がらす の むこう に、きれいな にわ が みえます。
garasu no mukou ni, kireina niwa ga miemasu.
A beautiful garden is visible through the glass.