〜に向かって: 'Toward / Facing' (Direction, Physical or Abstract)
Pointing yourself at something — literally or figuratively
に向かって marks the direction of physical movement, sustained effort toward a goal, or words/actions aimed squarely at a person.
やったんは駅に向かって走り出した。
やったんは えきに むかって はしりだした。
Yattan took off running toward the station.
Physical direction of movement.
目標に向かって、努力を続けています。
もくひょうに むかって、どりょくを つづけています。
I keep working hard toward my goal.
Abstract direction: effort aimed at a goal.
モチに向かって、厳しい言葉を投げかけた。
モチに むかって、きびしい ことばを なげかけた。
He hurled harsh words straight at Mochi.
Words directed at a specific person.
Form: 名詞 + に向かって
に向かって attaches directly to a noun naming the place, goal, or person being faced or aimed at.
| What you attach to | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Place | 名詞 + に向かって | 駅に向かって（走る） |
| Goal/target (abstract) | 名詞 + に向かって | 目標に向かって（努力する） |
| Person (speech/action aimed at) | 名詞 + に向かって | 相手に向かって（言う） |
やったんは、鏡に向かって挨拶の練習をしていた。
やったんは、かがみに むかって あいさつの れんしゅうを していた。
Yattan was practicing his greeting while facing the mirror.
に向かって captures 'facing' something directly, even a mirror.
に向かって vs に向けて: facing now vs preparing for later
Both point toward a goal, but they differ in focus. に向かって stresses the ongoing direction or orientation — you are literally facing that way, moving that way, or speaking that way, right now. に向けて stresses preparation for a future goal or event — getting ready, aiming resources at something that hasn't happened yet.
来月の試験に向けて、毎日勉強している。
らいげつの しけんに むけて、まいにち べんきょうしている。
I'm studying every day in preparation for next month's exam.
に向けて: preparing for a future event, not facing it directly right now.
The short version
- 〜に向かって = "toward / facing" — physical direction, effort toward a goal, or words/actions aimed at a person.
- Attaches to: a noun (place, goal, or person).
- Nuance/register: neutral, everyday; implies actively facing or heading that way.
- Don't confuse with: に向けて (preparing/aiming resources for a future goal or event, rather than facing it in the moment).
Practice it
Choose に向かって to mark physical or abstract direction, or words aimed at someone.
＿＿＿に入れるのに最もよいものを選びなさい。
＿＿＿走り出した。
Where 〜に向かって fits
Shaky on this? Get these solid first
- 〜に行く · N5 — 〜に行く/来る/帰る says you go, come, or return somewhere to do something. Learn the ます-stem + に pattern, suru-nouns like 買い物に行く, and how to mark the place.
- 〜てください · N5 — 〜てください is the standard way to politely ask someone to do something ('please do…'). Learn the formation, the negative 〜ないでください, softer variations, and see clear examples.
More N2 grammar to explore
Keep going with related patterns at the same level:
- 〜において — 〜において is the formal, written equivalent of で/に, marking a location, time, or field of activity: 現代において ('in modern times'). Learn the pattern plus its adnominal form における.
- 〜ものなら — 〜ものなら follows a potential verb to mean 'if only I could' (できるものなら、やってみたい) or, with a volitional verb, to warn of dire consequences for a rash attempt.
- 〜ようがない — 〜ようがない means 'there's no way to (do something)' — the means or method to do it simply doesn't exist, usually because key information or resources are missing. Neutral-to-frustrated in tone.
- 〜を通じて — 〜を通じて means 'through/by means of X' (a channel or medium) or, with a time period, 'throughout X'; near-identical to を通して, but leans slightly more toward indirect channels and continuous stretches of time.
- 〜につき — につき has two separate uses: attached to a noun of quantity it means 'per' (１ダースにつき３ドル), while attached to a reason noun in formal notices it means 'due to / because of' (本日休業につき).
- 〜ほど — 〜ほど expresses degree or extent — 'to the point that,' as in 目の玉が飛び出るほど高い ('so expensive your eyes pop out'). It measures how far something goes by describing a vivid consequence or comparison.