コウ, む.く, む.い, む.き, む.ける, む.け, む.かう, む.かい, む.こう, む.こう, むこ, むか.い, こお, た, な, むか, むかい, むこう

yonder, facing, beyond, confront, defy, tend toward, approach

JLPT3 G3 S6 F182

The relevant oracle bone form of this character is roof/building + a hole# → smoke being compressed through a ventilation hole and escaping to the outside of a structure → *face (toward)*; *head toward*; *direction*. Extended meanings include *confront*; *advance upon*; *approach*; *become/grow*; *turn to*; *point at*; *send* (a messenger); (on) *the other side*; *opposite direction* and *beyond*. Also, *position* (on a matter) and *be inclined to do* (← the approach one takes to an issue); *allocate to* (← time/objects one directs toward a matter); *destination* (← head toward); *the other party* (← person one faces); and *suitability* (← be appropriately suited to face a situation). For the idea of smoke passing through a ventilation hole, compare as described in as well as , a variant form of .

[Full Kanji Etymology List]