方

• Reading: かた
• Romaji: kata
• Kanji breakdown: 方 (hou/kata) — direction, way, person (polite)
• Pronunciation: /ka.ta/

Meaning

Direction; way; method; manner. Also a polite word for 'person.'

Has two main readings: かた (direction/person, polite) and ほう (direction/side, comparative). As かた, it is a polite alternative to 人 (hito) for 'person.' As ほう, it appears in comparisons (こっちの方が好き). Also used as a suffix meaning 'way of doing' (食べ方 = way of eating).

Examples

1. あの方はどなたですか。 Who is that person?
2. この漢字の書き方を教えてください。 Please teach me how to write this kanji.
3. 駅はどちらの方ですか。 Which direction is the station?

Usage Guide

Context: polite speech, directions, instructions

Tone: polite

Origin & History

The kanji 方 originally depicted two boats side by side, suggesting the idea of direction or orientation. It has been used since the earliest written Japanese.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal