向
Yonder
| on’yomi | kun’yomi | Radicals |
|---|---|---|
| こう | む.き | 向 |
Meaning: Yonder
The cyclops only has one eye, so it really likes to look off into the distance with it. He’s like the tower of Sauron, he thinks, with his one big eye. He faces this way and that, looking yonder.
Maybe the cyclops hears something behind him, so he swings around, and looks yonder again.
Reading: こう
As the cyclops is looking yonder he sees something moving (finally!). Turns out it’s こういち, who’s trying to get rid of the one ring! “Oh crap,” thinks the cyclops. “I better go take him out.”
Now you can imagine the cyclops and こういち battling it out. It’s an epic fight, but you decide who wins.
Vocabulary
Learn the meanings of the vocab before moving on (and learn the readings if you can, too!)
a 向こう（むこう）＝ Opposite side
- Meaning: Kind of like the kanji. Basically, the kanji just refers to any space away from the space you’re talking about. So, 向こう is the opposite side from where you are.
- Reading: You have to remember the む part of this kun’yomi. To go “over there” or “over yonder” you have to move (む).
a 向く（むく）＝ Turn toward
- Meaning: The verb form of yonder. It’s like you turn to face the yonder, if that makes any sense.
- Reading: The kun’yomi reading again. Make sure you know 向こう and you’ll be able to piece together this one.
a 下向き（したむき）＝ Face downward
- Combo: 下 (below) + 向き (face towards)
- Meaning: facing towards the below is facing downward.
- Reading: The kun’yomi readings of both. The hint is that there’s a き sticking out, which means it’s probably kun’yomi reading.
a 方向（ほうこう）＝ Direction
- Combo: 方 (direction/way) + 向 (face towards)
- Meaning: The yonder way is the direction.
a ＿＿向け（＿＿むけ）＝ Made For _____
- Meaning: The blank is where you put the thing that it’s made for. 向け shows what it’s for.
- Reading: The kun’yomi reading. Just know 向き or 向こう and you’ll know this reading as well.