向かう
むかう · mukau · JLPT N4 · verb-godan
to go towards
🧭 mukau: MOO-cow heads toward the barn — 向 means direction, facing
向 is the kanji for direction or facing (as in 方向, direction). Add the verb ending かう and it becomes to face or head toward something. Sound hook: mu-ka-u is close to moo-cow, and a cow always turns to face where it is going.
向 — roof 宀 + mouth 口
Originally a pictograph of a house with a north-facing window, showing an opening in a wall under a roof. The early meaning was 'north window,' which extended to 'the direction something faces,' then broadly to 'toward' or 'direction.' The modern shape simplified the window into 口.