Translation guide
The English preposition "towards" indicates direction, orientation, or relation. In Japanese, it is expressed through particles, compound verbs, and set phrases rather than a single word. The choice depends on whether you mean physical movement, facing a direction, attitude toward someone, or progress toward a goal.
Expressing motion or action directed at a destination or target.
Used with verbs of movement to indicate heading toward a place or object. Emphasizes the direction of movement.
彼は駅に向かって歩いた。
He walked towards the station.
The birds flew off towards the south.
A more casual and common way to say 'towards' in everyday speech. 方 (ほう) means 'direction'. Often used with 行く, 来る, etc.
あっちの方へ行こう。
Let's go that way / towards that direction.
犬が公園の方へ走っていった。
The dog ran off towards the park.
The simple directional particle へ can often be translated as 'towards'. It is less specific than に and focuses on the direction rather than the destination.
東京へ向かう電車
a train heading towards Tokyo
Similar to に向かって but can sound slightly more formal or intentional. Often used when aiming or directing something.
カメラを被写体に向けてください。
Please point the camera towards the subject.
Describing the position or orientation of something relative to a point.
Used for buildings, rooms, etc., that face a direction or feature. Literally 'faces onto'.
この部屋は南に面している。
This room faces towards the south.
Attached to nouns to mean 'facing' or 'oriented towards'. Often used in real estate or directions.
南向きの窓
a window facing towards the south
Describes a person or thing that is physically turned towards something.
彼はこっちの方を向いている。
He is facing towards us.
Expressing a person's feelings, behavior, or stance in relation to another.
The most common way to express 'towards' in terms of attitude, feelings, or actions directed at someone. Can be used with nouns or verbs.
彼は私に対して親切だ。
He is kind towards me.
政府の対応に対して不満がある。
I have complaints towards the government's response.
Used to modify a noun, expressing 'towards' in the sense of feelings or actions directed at something. Combines へ and の.
With certain adjectives and verbs, the particle に alone can express 'towards' in terms of attitude. Common with 優しい, 冷たい, etc.
彼は誰にでも優しい。
He is kind towards everyone.
Indicating movement or effort directed at achieving something.
Used for efforts, preparations, or steps taken toward a future goal or event. Often translated as 'toward(s)' or 'in preparation for'.
試験に向けて勉強している。
I'm studying towards the exam.
オリンピックに向けて準備が進んでいる。
Preparations are progressing towards the Olympics.
Literally 'a step towards', used for progress or advancement.
これは平和への第一歩だ。
This is the first step towards peace.
Means 'to get closer to' a goal or state. Often used with abstract targets.
完成に近づいている。
We are getting closer towards completion.
Approximating a time, especially when it's not exact.
Used after a time expression to mean 'around' or 'towards'. Very common.
3時頃に来てください。
Please come towards 3 o'clock.
Means 'near' or 'close to' a time. Slightly more formal than 頃.
夕方近くにまた電話します。
I'll call again towards evening.
に向かって emphasizes the direction of movement itself, while に向けて often implies a target or goal, especially with abstract or intentional actions. For physical movement, に向かって is more common; for efforts or aiming, に向けて is preferred.
駅に向かって走る
run towards the station (physical direction)
試験に向けて勉強する
study towards the exam (goal-oriented)
English uses 'towards' in many idiomatic ways that don't map to a single Japanese pattern. For example, 'attitude towards' is に対する態度, not に向かっての態度. Always consider the underlying meaning (direction, target, relation) and choose the appropriate Japanese structure.