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向
向 (readings: こう, む, むこ; Japanese kanji) means “direction / to face”. It is a Grade 3 Kyōiku kanji, taught in year 3 of Japanese elementary school, and appears in words such as 方向 (direction).
What does 向 mean?
| Kanji | 向 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | direction / to face |
| Readings | こう, む, むこ |
| Grade | Grade 3 (Medium) |
| Curriculum | Kyōiku kanji · Japanese elementary school |
How to read 向
向 is read こう or む or むこ depending on the word.
Example words with 向
| Example | 方向 (direction) |
|---|
Practice writing 向 — free
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Updated: 2026-07-14