方
Meanings
side; one's part; party in an argument
Used for a person’s or group’s side, responsibility, standpoint, or party in a dispute. Common in phrases such as 私の方 and あなたの方.
I will check that on my side.
I stayed on his side until the end.
Places someone or something into a broad category, often with expressions like どちらかというと, 方だ, or 方に入る.
I am more of a morning person.
This dog falls into the large-sized category.
field; area of work or study
Refers somewhat broadly to a field, specialty, or line of work. This use can sound a little vague or indirect, as in 医療の方 or 法律の方.
She works in the medical field.
the side in a comparison; the one that is more
Used in comparison patterns, especially Aの方がBより... or verb phrase + 方が..., to mark the option or side being compared.
This room is brighter than that room.
Going by bicycle is faster than walking.
As a standalone 方 read ほう, the meaning 'method' or 'means' is limited and uncommon in modern everyday Japanese; 方法, 手段, or a suffix 方 read かた is usually used instead.
In older writing, 方 is sometimes explained as meaning something close to 'method' or 'means'.
length of each side of a square
Rare measurement or geometry-related use, mainly in set expressions such as 方一尺, meaning a square whose sides are one shaku long.
方一尺 means a square with each side measuring one shaku.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉の方が〈物〉より〈形容詞〉X is more ~ than Y (comparison)
Apples are sweeter than mandarins.
- 〈場所〉の方toward/in the direction of a place
I walked in the direction of the station.
- 〈人〉の方から〈動詞〉to take the initiative from one's own side
I'll be the one to call first.
- 〈形容詞〉方だto tend to be on the ~ side; to fall into the ~ category
He tends to be a man of few words.
- 〈事〉の方はas for the ~ side/field (vague reference)
How are things going with work?