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.
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.
Let's go that way / towards that direction.
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.
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.
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'.
This room faces towards the south.
Attached to nouns to mean 'facing' or 'oriented towards'. Often used in real estate or directions.
a window facing towards the south
Describes a person or thing that is physically turned towards something.
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.
He is kind towards me.
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.
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'.
I'm studying towards the exam.
Preparations are progressing towards the Olympics.
Literally 'a step towards', used for progress or advancement.
This is the first step towards peace.
Means 'to get closer to' a goal or state. Often used with abstract targets.
We are getting closer towards completion.
Approximating a time, especially when it's not exact.
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.
run towards the station (physical direction)
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.
impact towards the environment