JLPT N4 · 4 strokes
Kanji 方: "direction, person, alternative"
The kanji 方 means "direction, person, alternative". It is written with 4 strokes and belongs to JLPT level N4, read ホウ in on'yomi and かた, -かた, -がた in kun'yomi.
Stroke order
Strokes are written in the order of the numbers. The order is not decorative: it is what gives the character its balance, and it is also how handwriting search works in Japanese dictionaries.
Readings
On'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading)
ホウ
Kun'yomi (native Japanese reading)
かた-かた-がた
In a kun'yomi reading, the dot separates the kanji from its okurigana: かた.る is read かたる and written 語る. A hyphen marks a bound position, like -び in 日.
At a glance
| Meaning | direction, person, alternative |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 4 |
| JLPT level | N4 |
| Taught in Japan | grade 2 |
| Frequency rank | 46 of 2,501 |
Common words with 方
The most frequent words using this kanji, most common first, with furigana readings. Click one to open it in the reader.
- 方direction; way; side; area (in a particular direction) · side (of an argument, etc.); one's part
- 貴方you · dear; honey
- 方direction; way · person; lady; gentleman
- 方法method; way; manner; process
- 貴方toi, vous (familier, parfois brusque)
- 何方which way; which direction; where · which one (esp. of two alternatives)
- 方向direction; orientation; bearing; way · course (e.g. of action)
- 一方one (esp. of two); the other; one way; the other way · on the one hand; on the other hand
- 仕方ないil n'y a rien à faire, on ne peut pas faire autrement · inévitable, tant pis
- 方がいいil vaut mieux (faire) · il vaut mieux ne pas (faire)
- 味方friend; ally; supporter · taking sides (with); supporting; standing by; backing up
- 言い方way of saying (something); way of putting it; wording; phrasing
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