Translation guide
The English word "sideways" describes movement, direction, or orientation to the side. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent; the best choice depends on whether you mean moving sideways, looking sideways, turning something sideways, or a sideways glance. This guide covers the most natural expressions for each situation.
Describing movement or orientation that is lateral, not forward or backward.
The most common way to say 'sideways' for movement or position. 横 means 'side' and に marks direction or location.
彼は横に動いた。
He moved sideways.
箱を横に置いてください。
Please place the box sideways.
Emphasizes facing or orienting sideways. Often used for turning something to face the side.
横向きに寝てください。
Please lie on your side.
写真を横向きに撮る。
Take a picture sideways (landscape orientation).
Technical or formal term for 'in a lateral direction'. Used in engineering or scientific contexts.
力が横方向に加わる。
Force is applied sideways.
Looking at something indirectly, often with suspicion or without turning the head.
Literally 'look with sideways eyes'. Implies a glance without fully turning, often with a negative nuance like suspicion or disdain.
彼は私を横目で見た。
He glanced at me sideways.
To glance quickly or furtively, not necessarily sideways but often used for a brief sideways look.
彼女はちらっと時計を見た。
She glanced sideways at the clock.
A sidelong glance, often flirtatious or seductive. Used in romantic contexts.
Rotating an object so its side faces forward or its orientation changes.
To lay something on its side or turn it sideways. Common for objects like bottles or furniture.
本を横にして積む。
Stack books sideways.
To make something face sideways. Often used for screens or photos.
スマホを横向きにしてください。
Turn your phone sideways.
Lateral steps or shuffles, common in sports training or dance.
Loanword from English, widely used in sports and fitness for a sideways step.
サイドステップで移動する。
Move sideways with side steps.
A more Japanese phrasing meaning 'step sideways'.
横にステップして相手をかわす。
Step sideways to dodge the opponent.
When a plan, project, or situation goes wrong or deviates from the intended path.
Literally 'stray onto a side road'. Figuratively means to go off-topic or get sidetracked.
話が横道にそれた。
The conversation went sideways.
A general phrase meaning 'things stop going well', used when a situation goes sideways.
計画がうまくいかなくなった。
The plan went sideways.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'sideways'. Translating directly as 'サイドウェイズ' is not natural. Always choose the expression that fits the specific action or orientation.
横 (よこ) is a noun meaning 'side', and 横に means 'to the side' or 'sideways' for movement or location. 横向き (よこむき) means 'side-facing' and emphasizes orientation. Use 横に for moving sideways, and 横向きに for turning to face sideways.
She cast a sideways glance.