Translation and Meaning of: 向かう - mukau

The word 「向かう」 (mukau) is a Japanese verb that means to head towards a place or to face a situation. It is commonly used in situations where someone is moving in the direction of something or is preparing to deal with a challenge. The term is quite frequent in the daily life of Japanese language speakers, whether in spoken or written language.

Etymologically, 「向かう」 derives from two main components: 「向」 which by itself means "direction" or "face", and the verbal ending 「う」. The kanji 「向」 is formed by the radical 「冂」 which represents "to open" or "to extend", and the radical 「口」 which means "mouth" or "opening". Together, these elements create a visual idea of something that is opening or expanding in the direction of something. This construction highlights the essence of movement towards a goal or destination.

In the cultural context, 「向かう」 also has philosophical and social connotations in Japan. In many situations, it is used to describe not only physical movements but also the attitude of facing challenges or pursuing goals. It is common in motivational speeches, where the verb is used to encourage individuals to "head towards" or "face" their goals and difficulties, reinforcing their resilience and determination.

Another interesting variation of the word is the reflexive form 「向かって」 (mukatte), which is used to emphasize the direction someone is going or the intention with which they approach a challenge. This usage is quite common in literary narratives and formal speeches, giving a more intentional or poetic tone to the sentence.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 進む (Susumu) - advance, progress
• 行く (Iku) - Go, head to a place
• 逝く (Iku) - Go, leave (usually in a context of death or departure)
• 出向く (Demuku) - Addressing a specific place, usually in the context of a visit or approach.
• 趨く (Suku) - Move towards something, follow a path