Translation guide
How to express 'face someone' in Japanese, covering physical orientation, confronting someone, and metaphorical facing.
The speaker describes physically facing another person, such as turning to look at them or sitting opposite them.
A natural way to say 'turn to face someone'. The particle の indicates the person you face.
彼は私の方を向いた。
He turned to face me.
The speaker wants to express confronting someone directly, often about a problem or difficult topic.
Means 'to confront' or 'to stand up to' someone, often in a challenging situation.
彼は上司に立ち向かった。
He confronted his boss.
The speaker wants to express facing a situation, fact, or reality, often metaphorically.
The most common way to say 'face a situation/problem'. Used for difficulties, facts, or realities.
彼は困難に直面している。
He is facing difficulties.
The English verb 'face' covers many meanings. Do not directly translate 'face someone' as 顔をする or similar. Use the appropriate phrase based on context.
彼の顔を向く
turn his face (unnatural as 'face him')
Please face the teacher when you speak.
Means 'to face each other' or 'to sit opposite'. Often used for two people facing one another.
彼と向かい合って座った。
I sat facing him.
Similar to 向かい合う, but can also imply confronting someone emotionally or seriously.
彼女と向き合って話した。
I talked with her face to face.
A stronger word for 'confront', often used for showdowns or decisive confrontations.
彼は敵と対決した。
He faced his enemy.
Literally 'say to someone's face', used when directly telling someone something unpleasant.
面と向かって文句を言うのは難しい。
It's hard to complain to someone's face.
We have to face reality.
Can also be used for facing challenges or adversity, implying active resistance.
彼女は病気に立ち向かっている。
She is facing her illness.