Readings: ホウ (Onyomi), かた (Kunyomi)
Meaning: direction, way, person, side
This character is thought to be a pictogram of a plough or a boat, then extended to mean “direction” or “square.” Over time, its meaning diversified to include “way,” “method,” and a polite term for “person.”
View JLPT N4 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 方 has 4 strokes. It begins with a vertical stroke, followed by a horizontal stroke, then a hook to the left, and finally a dot on the right side.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 方 (ほう・へん) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 4 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Grade | 2 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ホウ (HOU)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- かた (kata)
Common Words Using 方
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 方法 | ほうほう | method, way |
| 方向 | ほうこう | direction |
| 地方 | ちほう | region, district |
| 前方 | ぜんぽう | front, forward |
| 後方 | こうほう | rear, backward |
| 平方 | へいほう | square (e.g., square meter) |
| 方面 | ほうめん | direction, area |
| 一方 | いっぽう | one side, on the other hand |
| 四方 | しほう | all directions |
| 東方 | とうほう | eastern direction |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 方 | かた | person (polite), direction, way |
| 食べ方 | たべかた | way of eating |
| 読み方 | よみかた | way of reading |
| 仕方 | しかた | way, method, means |
| あの方 | あのかた | that person (polite) |
| 見方 | みかた | viewpoint, way of looking |
| やり方 | やりかた | way of doing, method |
| 夕方 | ゆうがた | evening |
| 片方 | かたほう | one side, one of a pair |
| 皆さん方 | みなさんがた | everyone (polite plural) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: この方は私の先生です。
Kana: このかたはわたしのせんせいです。
Romaji: Kono kata wa watashi no sensei desu.
English: This person is my teacher.
Japanese: 駅はこの方向です。
Kana: えきはこのほうこうです。
Romaji: Eki wa kono houkou desu.
English: The station is in this direction.
Japanese: この料理の作り方を教えてください。
Kana: このりょうりのつくりかたをおしえてください。
Romaji: Kono ryouri no tsukurikata o oshiete kudasai.
English: Please teach me how to make this dish.
Japanese: どちらの方が大きいですか。
Kana: どちらのほうががおおきいですか。
Romaji: Dochira no hou ga ookii desu ka?
English: Which one is bigger?
Japanese: 夕方には家に帰ります。
Kana: ゆうがたにはいえにかえります。
Romaji: Yuugata ni wa ie ni kaerimasu.
English: I will return home in the evening.
Japanese: 彼は色々な方法を試しました。
Kana: かれはいろいろなほうほうをためしました。
Romaji: Kare wa iroiro na houhou o tameshimashita.
English: He tried various methods.
Japanese: あの場所は駅から見て東方にあります。
Kana: あのばしょはえきからみてとうほうにあります。
Romaji: Ano basho wa eki kara mite touhou ni arimasu.
English: That place is to the east from the station.
Japanese: 彼は物事の見方がとてもユニークです。
Kana: かれはものごとのみかたがとてもユニークです。
Romaji: Kare wa monogoto no mikata ga totemo yunīku desu.
English: His way of looking at things is very unique.
Japanese: 日本の地方都市を訪れたい。
Kana: にほんのちほうとしをおとずれたい。
Romaji: Nihon no chihou toshi o otozuretai.
English: I want to visit regional cities in Japan.
Japanese: 片方の靴が見つかりません。
Kana: かたほうのくつがみつかりません。
Romaji: Katahou no kutsu ga mitsukarimasen.
English: I can’t find one of my shoes.
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