向こう側に
mukōgawa ni
The English word 'across' can be translated into Japanese as 向こう側に (mukōgawa ni) when describing something located from one side to another.
While the English 'across' can sometimes describe the movement of crossing something, 向こう側に specifically describes the state of being located on the other side of an obstacle or boundary.
Meaning: from one side to another (prep)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 向こう (opposite/beyond), 側 (side) and に (at/in), literally meaning 'at the opposite side'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Changing the particle に to へ changes the focus from the location 'at' the opposite side to the direction 'toward' the opposite side.
How do you pronounce it?
mukōgawa ni
Did you know?
- To say something is 'across' the street, Japanese speakers often use 道を挟んで 'michi o hasande', which literally means 'sandwiching the road'.
- The word 向こう in 向こう側に can be used as a pronoun to refer to 'the other party' or 'them' in a dispute or negotiation.
- If you are talking about a person sitting 'across' from you at a table, you would rarely use 向こう側に and would instead use words like 向かい (mukai) to indicate facing one another.
Examples in context
- 通りの向こう側に教会がある。There is a church across the street.This sentence shows how to use 向こう側に to indicate the location of a building.Tatoeba #125635 by small_snow, translation #278357 by CC
- 通りの向こう側にホテルがある。There's a hotel across the street.Tatoeba #125636 by bunbuku, translation #44989 by CK
- ボールは道の向こう側に転がった。The ball rolled across the road.This sentence uses 向こう側に to describe the final position of a moving object.Tatoeba #196504 by bunbuku, translation #33682 by CK
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are looking for a specific shop from the street.
- 健太 Kentaあのお店は道の向こう側にありますか？Ano omise wa michi no mukoukawa ni arimasu ka?Is that shop across the street?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、向こう側にありますよ。Hai, mukoukawa ni arimasu yo.Yes, it is across there.
- 健太 Kentaあ、見えました！A, miemashita!Ah, I see it!
- 美咲 Misakiよかったですね。Yokatta desu ne.That's good.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
