この方かた

pronoun

this person; this gentleman; this lady

Polite pronoun used to refer to a third person, similar to この人 but more respectful. Often used when the speaker does not know the person's name.

• この方かたはどなたですか。

  Who is this person?

• この方かたが新あたらしい部ぶ長ちょうです。

  This gentleman is the new department head.

adverb, noun

since; for the past ...

Used after a time expression to mean 'since' or 'for the past (period)'. Often follows a noun indicating a point in time or a duration. Sense 2 is a specific instance of sense 1, emphasizing a continuous period up to now.

• 生うまれてこの方かた、海かい外がいに行いったことがない。

  I have never been abroad since I was born.

• ここ十じゅう年ねんこの方かた、ずっとこの町まちに住すんでいます。

  I have been living in this town for the past ten years.