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上を向く (うえをむく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-ku)
look upward ; turn one's face up
Describes the physical action of directing one's gaze or face toward the sky or ceiling. Often used in instructions or when describing a change in posture.
と
上うえ
を
向む
い
た
。
He looked up to see the ceiling.
Similar words 見み 上あ げる 見上げる is a transitive verb meaning 'to look up at something' with a direct object, while 上を向く is an intransitive expression focusing on the action of turning one's face upward.
仰あお 向む く 仰向く also means 'to look up' but often implies tilting the head back, sometimes while lying down; 上を向く is more general and can be used in various postures.
Etymology Compound of 上 (うえ, 'up, above') + を (object marker) + 向く (むく, 'to face, turn toward'). Literally 'to face upward'.
