also: とのかた
Honorific term used mainly by women to refer to men politely. Often used in formal or service contexts, such as addressing male customers or guests.
We also carry cosmetics for gentlemen.
We look forward to gentlemen visiting our store.
men's (sign on toilet, bathroom, etc. doors)
Used on signs to indicate men's facilities, often as 殿方用. Polite and somewhat old-fashioned; 男性用 is more common in modern signage.
The restroom is over there. The men's is on the right.
Standard kanji spelling; the reading とのがた is the most common.
Alternate reading; less common than とのがた.
Compound of 殿 (との, 'lord') + 方 (かた, 'person', honorific plural suffix). Originally referred to lords or noblemen, later generalized as a polite term for men.