Japanese

かう

むかう
Meaning: to head toward, to face, to go in the direction of
Part of Speech: Verb

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 向かう 向かわない
Polite 向かいます 向かいません
Past 向かった 向かわなかった
Polite + Past 向かいました 向かいませんでした
Te-form 向かって 向かわなくて
Potential 向かえる 向かえない
Passive 向かわれる 向かわれない
Causative 向かわせる 向かわせない
Causative + Passive 向かわされる 向かわされない
Imperative 向かえ 向かうな

Handwriting

向
か
う

Example sentences

I'm heading toward the station.
二人は心をいつにして、同じ目標に向かった。
The two shared one heart and moved toward the same goal.
船は西へと向かった。
The ship headed towards the west.
彼女は列車に向かって手を振った。
She waved her hand toward the train.
夢に向かって、一歩踏み出した。
I took a step toward my dream.
山を越えて、次の村へ向かった。
Crossing the mountain, we headed for the next village.
彼は登山の装備を整えて、雪山に向かった。
He prepared his climbing gear and headed for the snowy mountains.
最短のルートで目的地へ向かった。
We headed for the destination via the shortest route.
彼女は漆黒のドレスを身に纏い、パーティー会場へと向かった。
She donned a jet-black dress and headed to the party venue.
彼は夢に向かって新しい一歩を踏み出した。
He took a new step toward his dream.

Usage Notes

Verb meaning to move or direct oneself toward a destination or target. Can be used both physically (going somewhere) and metaphorically (facing a challenge). Often used with the particle に to indicate direction.

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