Translation guide
How to express the idea of facing against something or someone in Japanese, including physical orientation, confrontation, and opposition.
Describing a position or orientation where someone or something is directly opposite or facing another thing.
Verb meaning 'to face each other' or 'to be opposite'. Often used for two things facing one another.
彼らは向かい合って座った。
They sat facing each other.
Verb meaning 'to face (a direction or feature)', often used for buildings or geographical features.
この部屋は海に面している。
This room faces the ocean.
Phrase meaning 'facing toward ~' or 'in the direction of ~'. Used with verbs of movement or orientation.
彼は壁に向かって立っていた。
He was standing facing the wall.
Formal verb meaning 'to face' or 'to meet face-to-face'. Often used in official or business contexts.
彼らは会議室で対面した。
They faced each other in the conference room.
Expressing the idea of standing up against a person, group, or challenge, often in a confrontational or resistant manner.
Verb meaning 'to confront', 'to stand up to', or 'to face (a challenge)'. Implies courage or determination.
彼は困難に立ち向かった。
He faced the difficulties.
Verb meaning 'to oppose', 'to compete against', or 'to counter'. Often used in sports, debates, or conflicts.
彼らは強敵に対抗した。
They faced a strong opponent.
Phrase meaning 'to be faced with' or 'to confront' a situation or problem. Often used for abstract challenges.
私たちは深刻な問題に直面している。
We are facing a serious problem.
Verb meaning 'to go against', 'to defy', or 'to disobey'. Often used for resisting authority or natural forces.
Describing something that is placed or pressed against another surface, often with contact.
Phrase meaning 'to press against' or 'to push against'. Used when something is physically forced against another object.
彼は顔を窓に押し付けた。
He pressed his face against the window.
Phrase meaning 'to put/place against' or 'to apply to'. Used for placing something lightly or directly against a surface.
彼女は耳をドアに当てた。
She put her ear against the door.
Phrase meaning 'to lean against' or 'to prop against'. Used for objects leaning on a vertical surface.
彼は自転車を壁に立てかけた。
He leaned his bicycle against the wall.
There is no single Japanese word that directly translates 'face against' in all contexts. The appropriate expression depends on whether you mean physical orientation, confrontation, or pressing against something. Avoid literal translations like '顔を対して' (kao o taishite), which is unnatural.
彼は壁に顔を向けて立っていた。
He stood with his face against the wall.
If meaning 'facing the wall', use 向ける. If meaning 'pressed against', use 押し付ける.
彼は流れに逆らって泳いだ。
He swam against the current.