How to say "Side" or "On the other hand" in Japanese | 一方

word

Meaning

One

Reading

Kanji

一One

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '一 (いち)' means 'one'. It is used to denote the number one or a single item. This word is fundamental in counting and is often used in various contexts, such as dates, times, and quantities. For example: one apple「一つのりんご」(ひとつのりんご). It is also used in idiomatic expressions and compound words. For instance, '一人 (ひとり)' means 'one person' or 'alone'. Note that '一' can also be part of larger numbers, such as '十一 (じゅういち)' for 'eleven'.

word

Meaning

One

Reading

Kanji

一One

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '一つ (ひとつ)' means 'one'. It is used to indicate the number one or a single item. This word is often used in counting objects or when referring to a single instance of something. For example: I have one apple「りんごを一つ持っています」(りんごをひとつもっています). There is one book on the table「テーブルの上に本が一つあります」(テーブルのうえにほんがひとつあります). It can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as 'one of the reasons'「理由の一つ」(りゆうのひとつ). Note that '一つ' is part of the native Japanese counting system, which is often used for general objects and abstract concepts, as opposed to the Sino-Japanese counting system (e.g., 一 (いち)) which is used for specific categories like dates, money, or time.

word

Meaning

Alone, One person

Reading

Kanji

一One 人Person

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '一人 (ひとり)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'alone', referring to a state of being by oneself without others. The second meaning is 'one person', referring to a single individual. This word is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts. For example: I live alone「私は一人で暮らしています」(わたしはひとりでくらしています). Only one person came to the meeting「会議には一人しか来なかった」(かいぎにはひとりしかこなかった). The word can also be used in phrases like '一人で (ひとりで)' meaning 'by oneself' or 'on one's own'.

word

Meaning

A bit

Reading

Kanji

一One 寸Measurement

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese adverb '一寸 (ちょっと)' means 'a bit' or 'a little'. It is commonly used to indicate a small amount, degree, or extent of something. It can also be used to soften requests or statements, making them sound more polite or less direct. For example: Can you wait a bit?「ちょっと待ってくれますか？」(ちょっとまってくれますか？). I'm a bit busy「ちょっと忙しいです」(ちょっといそがしいです). Additionally, 'ちょっと' can be used to express hesitation or difficulty in answering a question, as in 'ちょっと難しいです (ちょっとむずかしいです) (It's a bit difficult).'

word

Meaning

Together

Reading

Kanji

一One 緒Beginning, Together

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese adverb '一緒に (いっしょに)' means 'together'. It is used to indicate that two or more people or things are doing something in unison or in the same place. This adverb is commonly used in invitations or when suggesting joint activities. For example: Let's go together「一緒に行きましょう」(いっしょにいきましょう). We ate together「一緒に食べました」(いっしょにたべました). It can also be used to express that something is done simultaneously or in combination, as in 'I will study together with my friend'「友達と一緒に勉強します」(ともだちといっしょにべんきょうします).

word

Meaning

Direction, Side

Reading

Kanji

方Direction

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '方 (ほう)' can mean 'direction' or 'side'. It is often used to indicate a physical direction, a choice between options, or a comparison between two things. For example: that direction is dangerous「あの方は危ない」(あのほうはあぶない). I prefer this side「こちらの方が好きです」(こちらのほうがすきです). When used in comparisons, it often follows the structure 'Xの方がYより...' to mean 'X is more... than Y'. For example: apples are more delicious than oranges「りんごの方がオレンジより美味しい」(りんごのほうがオレンジよりおいしい). Note that '方' can also be used to refer to a person in a polite way, but this is a different word with the same kanji and reading, so it is not included here.

word

Meaning

You

Reading

Kanji

貴Precious 方Direction

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese pronoun '貴方 (あなた)' is a polite and formal way to say 'you'. It is commonly used in situations where the speaker wants to show respect or maintain a certain level of formality. However, in modern Japanese, it can also be used between close acquaintances or in romantic contexts. For example: Where are you going?「貴方はどこに行きますか？」(あなたはどこにいきますか？). I love you「貴方を愛しています」(あなたをあいしています). Note that overusing 'あなた' can sometimes sound distant or impersonal, so it is often omitted when the subject is clear from context.

word

Meaning

Method

Reading

Kanji

方Direction 法Law, Method

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '方法 (ほうほう)' means 'method' or 'way'. It refers to a systematic procedure or approach to accomplish something. This word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe techniques, strategies, or processes. For example: a new method「新しい方法」(あたらしいほうほう). What is the best way to solve this problem?「この問題を解決するための最良の方法は何ですか？」(このもんだいをかいけつするためのさいりょうのほうほうはなんですか？). It can also be used in phrases like 'study method' (勉強方法, べんきょうほうほう) or 'cooking method' (調理方法, ちょうりほうほう).

word

Meaning

Where, Which

Reading

Kanji

何What 方Direction

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese pronoun '何方 (どちら)' is a polite and formal way to ask 'which' or 'where'. It is often used in situations requiring politeness, such as in customer service or formal conversations. When asking 'which', it is used to choose between two options. For example: Which one do you prefer?「どちらが好きですか？」(どちらがすきですか？). When asking 'where', it is used to inquire about a direction or location. For example: Where is the station?「駅はどちらですか？」(えきはどちらですか？). The word '何方' can also be written in hiragana as 'どちら' and is interchangeable in usage. Note that 'どちら' is more formal than 'どっち', which is its casual counterpart.

word

Meaning

Region

Reading

Kanji

地Ground 方Direction

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '地方 (ちほう)' means 'region'. It refers to a specific area or part of a country, often used to distinguish areas outside major cities like Tokyo or Osaka. It can also imply a rural or less urbanized area. For example: I want to visit the northern region「北の地方に行きたい」(きたのちほうにいきたい). This region is famous for its hot springs「この地方は温泉で有名です」(このちほうはおんせんでゆうめいです). The word can also be used in contexts like 'local government' (地方自治体, ちほうじちたい) or 'regional culture' (地方文化, ちほうぶんか).