Translation guide
The English word 'direction' covers several distinct concepts: physical orientation (north, left), a path of movement, instructions or guidance, and a trend or tendency. Japanese uses different words and patterns for each.
Referring to a point on the compass or a relative orientation.
General term for compass direction or bearing. Often used when asking or stating which way something is.
駅はどちらの方角ですか。
Which direction is the station?
北の方角に山が見える。
You can see a mountain in the northern direction.
Direction, orientation, or course. More common in compound words and technical contexts. Can also mean 'trend' (see meaning 4).
Direction something faces; orientation. Often used for the way a building or object is positioned.
この部屋は南向きです。
This room faces south.
The path or line along which someone or something moves.
The most common word for the direction of movement. Used with verbs like 行く (go), 進む (advance), 歩く (walk).
彼は駅の方向に歩いていった。
He walked in the direction of the station.
どちらの方向に行けばいいですか。
Which direction should I go?
A more casual, shorter way to say 'direction' when indicating a general area. Often used in spoken Japanese.
駅の方はこっちです。
The station is this way.
Can also be used for direction of movement, but sounds slightly more formal or precise, like 'bearing'.
Information telling you how to do or use something.
Instructions, directions, orders. Used when someone tells you what to do.
先生の指示に従ってください。
Please follow the teacher's directions.
彼は私に詳しい指示を与えた。
He gave me detailed directions.
Explanation, directions. Often used for instructions on how to use something or how to get somewhere.
Directions for a route; how to get somewhere. Specifically for navigation.
Guidance, information, directions. Often used in the context of a guide or information desk.
The way something is developing or changing.
Direction, trend, course. Used for abstract developments like policy, research, or life.
会社は新しい方向に進んでいる。
The company is moving in a new direction.
研究の方向を変える必要がある。
We need to change the direction of our research.
Tendency, trend. More statistical or observational.
Flow, current, trend. Suggests a natural or societal movement.
方角 (ほうがく) is specifically for compass directions (north, south, etc.) or bearings. 方向 (ほうこう) is broader: it covers physical direction of movement, orientation, and abstract trends. 向き (むき) refers to the way something faces or is oriented, often used for buildings or objects.
When you mean 'instructions' or 'guidance', use 指示 (しじ) or 説明 (せつめい). Saying 方向 (ほうこう) for 'directions' in this sense would be unnatural.
風の方向が変わった。
The wind direction changed.
あっちの方に行ってみよう。
Let's try going that way.
遭難者は北東の方角へ進んだ。
The lost person headed in a northeastern direction.
使い方の説明を読んでください。
Please read the directions for use.
駅までの道順を教えてください。
Please tell me the directions to the station.
観光案内所で地図をもらった。
I got a map at the tourist information center.
最近の傾向として、若者は都会に集まる。
As a recent trend, young people are gathering in cities.
時代の流れに逆らうのは難しい。
It's hard to go against the direction of the times.