Translation guide
Describes something with many different aspects, sides, or features. In Japanese, this is often expressed through adjectives, compound nouns, or descriptive phrases rather than a single direct equivalent.
To describe a person, problem, or thing that has many different facets or dimensions.
The most direct and common translation. Used for problems, personalities, or approaches that have multiple sides.
この問題は多面的なアプローチが必要だ。
This problem requires a multifaceted approach.
彼女は多面的な才能を持っている。
She has multifaceted talents.
Emphasizes viewing or analyzing from multiple angles, often used in business or academic contexts.
多角的な視点から検討する必要がある。
We need to consider it from multifaceted perspectives.
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'to have various facets'. Natural in spoken and written Japanese.
この都市は様々な面を持っている。
This city is multifaceted.
Literally 'diverse aspects', used in formal or academic descriptions.
その現象は多様な側面を持っている。
The phenomenon is multifaceted.
To describe a person whose personality has many layers, often interesting or contradictory.
Means 'complex personality', commonly used to imply multifaceted nature.
彼は複雑な性格の持ち主だ。
He has a multifaceted personality.
Directly 'multifaceted personality', less common but clear.
彼女の多面的な性格に惹かれる。
I'm drawn to her multifaceted personality.
Literally 'a person with depth', implying multifaceted inner world. More literary.
彼は奥行きのある人だ。
He is a multifaceted person.
Describing something with many literal faces or surfaces, like a gem or a building.
Means 'polyhedron', used for geometric shapes or cut gems.
その宝石は美しい多面体にカットされている。
The gem is cut into a beautiful multifaceted shape.
Descriptive phrase for physical objects with many sides.
その建物は多くの面を持つデザインだ。
The building has a multifaceted design.
多面的 (tamenteki) is general 'multifaceted', while 多角的 (takakuteki) emphasizes analysis from multiple angles. Use 多角的 for business or research contexts where you examine something from different viewpoints.
Directly translating 'multifaceted' as 多面 (tamen) alone is unnatural. Use 多面的 or descriptive phrases instead.