Lesson L13N3N3 Kanji in Context⏱ 25 min

Space and Position Kanji

This lesson introduces key N3-level kanji that express spatial relationships and positions. Through contextual examples and common compounds, you'll understand how these kanji function in everyday sentences, from describing object placement to giving directions.

🎯 Goal: Learn N3 kanji related to space and position in context.

Lesson Content

Learning Goal

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to read and understand 6 N3-level kanji related to space and position, and use them in common words and phrases.

Concept

Space and position kanji describe where things are, how they are arranged, or their relationship to other objects. These kanji often appear in directions, locations, and abstract concepts of position. Understanding them will help you read signs, maps, and descriptions more naturally.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. 向 (む.く / む.ける / こう) – facing, to face

Meaning: to face, to turn toward, direction
Common readings: む.く (muku), む.ける (mukeru), こう (kou)
Example words:
- 方向 (ほうこう, houkou) – direction
- 向こう (むこう, mukou) – over there, opposite side
- 向上 (こうじょう, koujou) – improvement (lit. “facing upward”)

Memory tip: The left side (⺈) looks like a person turning their head. The right side (口) is a mouth. Imagine someone turning their face toward you to speak.

2. 側 (がわ / そば / そく) – side, beside

Meaning: side, beside, near
Common readings: がわ (gawa), そば (soba), そく (soku)
Example words:
- 側面 (そくめん, sokumen) – side, lateral aspect
- 右側 (みぎがわ, migigawa) – right side
- 窓側 (まどがわ, madogawa) – window side (e.g., in a train)

Memory tip: The left radical (亻) means person. The right part (則) means rule. Imagine a person standing beside a rulebook — always at the side.

3. 横 (よこ / おう) – horizontal, side, width

Meaning: horizontal, sideways, across, width
Common readings: よこ (yoko), おう (ou)
Example words:
- 横断 (おうだん, oudan) – crossing (e.g., a street)
- 横 (よこ, yoko) – side, horizontal direction
- 横書き (よこがき, yokogaki) – horizontal writing

Memory tip: The left side (木) is tree. The right side (黄) is yellow. Imagine a yellow tree that fell sideways — now it’s horizontal.

4. 縦 (たて / じゅう) – vertical, length

Meaning: vertical, length, height
Common readings: たて (tate), じゅう (juu)
Example words:
- 縦 (たて, tate) – vertical direction
- 縦書き (たてがき, tategaki) – vertical writing
- 縦断 (じゅうだん, juudan) – crossing vertically (e.g., a mountain range)

Memory tip: The left side (糸) means thread. The right side (従) means follow. Imagine a thread hanging straight down — it follows a vertical line.

5. 奥 (おく / おう) – inner, deep, back

Meaning: inner part, deep inside, far back
Common readings: おく (oku), おう (ou)
Example words:
- 奥 (おく, oku) – inner part, back of a room
- 奥さん (おくさん, okusan) – (someone’s) wife (honorific, “the one inside”)
- 奥行き (おくゆき, okuyuki) – depth (of a room or space)

Memory tip: The top (丿) is a roof. Below is 米 (rice) and 大 (big). Imagine a big rice storage room deep inside the house — the “inner” part.

6. 隣 (となり / りん) – next to, neighboring

Meaning: next to, adjacent, neighbor
Common readings: となり (tonari), りん (rin)
Example words:
- 隣 (となり, tonari) – next door, neighbor
- 隣人 (りんじん, rinjin) – neighbor (person)
- 隣の席 (となりのせき, tonari no seki) – the seat next to me

Memory tip: The left side (阝) is a hill/mound. The right side (粦) shows footprints. Imagine footprints leading to the hill next to yours — your neighbor’s hill.

Mini Examples

Japanese	Romaji	English
駅の向こう	eki no mukou	across from the station
右側のドア	migigawa no doa	the door on the right side
横に並ぶ	yoko ni narabu	to line up horizontally
縦に長い	tate ni nagai	long vertically
奥の部屋	oku no heya	the inner room
隣の家	tonari no ie	the house next door

Common Mistake

Mixing up 横 (yoko, horizontal) and 縦 (tate, vertical)

横 (yoko) = sideways, horizontal (like a line going left-right)
縦 (tate) = lengthwise, vertical (like a line going up-down)

Tip: Think of 横 as “yoko” like “yoga” — you lie sideways on the mat. Think of 縦 as “tate” like “tall” — both start with T.

Quick Practice

Fill in the blank: 窓の___に机がある。(beside the window)
- Answer: 側 (がわ / gawa)
Which kanji means “inner part” or “deep inside”?
- Answer: 奥 (おく / oku)
Write the kanji for “horizontal” and its reading:
- Answer: 横 (よこ / yoko)
True or false: 隣 (となり) means “across from.”
- Answer: False. It means “next to” or “neighboring.”

Summary and Next Step

You learned 6 N3 kanji for space and position: 向 (facing), 側 (side), 横 (horizontal), 縦 (vertical), 奥 (inner), and 隣 (next to). Practice reading them in signs, maps, or room descriptions.

Next step: Study how these kanji combine with location words (上, 下, 中, 外) to describe more complex positions.