A1 noun Neutral #3,611 most common

方角

hōgaku hoːɡaku

方角 refers to the direction or way towards a specific point, often used in relation to the cardinal points like North, South, East, and West. It describes the orientation of an object or the path one is traveling in.

Examples

3 of 5
1

駅はどの方角にありますか?

In which direction is the station?

2

太陽が昇る方角を確認してください。

Please confirm the direction in which the sun rises.

3

あっちの方角に公園があるよ。

The park is in that direction.

Word Family

Noun
方角
Related
方向
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'Gaku' in 'hou-gaku' as 'angle'. You are looking for the right angle/direction on a compass.

Quick Quiz

コンパスを使って、正しい( )を調べてください。

Correct!

The correct answer is: 方角

Examples

1

駅はどの方角にありますか?

everyday

In which direction is the station?

2

太陽が昇る方角を確認してください。

formal

Please confirm the direction in which the sun rises.

3

あっちの方角に公園があるよ。

informal

The park is in that direction.

4

地図上で北の方角を基準にする。

academic

Use the northern direction as a base on the map.

5

新オフィスの窓は南の方角を向いています。

business

The windows of the new office face the southern direction.

Word Family

Noun
方角
Related
方向

Common Collocations

方角を調べる To check the direction
方角を間違える To mistake the direction
吉の方角 A lucky direction
方角を指す To point in a direction
反対の方角 The opposite direction

Common Phrases

方角を失う

To lose one's sense of direction

方角が悪い

The direction is unlucky (often related to Feng Shui)

恵方

The year's lucky direction

Often Confused With

方角 vs 方向

Houkou (方向) is a general word for 'way' or 'trend', while hougaku (方角) specifically relates to compass points.

📝

Usage Notes

Use this word primarily when discussing geographic orientation or navigating using a map and compass.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'hougaku' when they mean 'houhou' (method) because both start with 'hou'. Remember that 'gaku' refers to angles/directions.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'Gaku' in 'hou-gaku' as 'angle'. You are looking for the right angle/direction on a compass.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the kanji 方 (direction/side) and 角 (corner/angle), referring to the corners or points of the compass.

Grammar Patterns

Noun + の + 方角 方角 + を + Verb 方角 + に + Verb
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Cultural Context

In Japan, the 'Setsubun' festival involves eating sushi rolls (Ehomaki) while facing the specific 'lucky direction' (ehō) of that year.

Quick Quiz

コンパスを使って、正しい( )を調べてください。

Correct!

The correct answer is: 方角

Related Words

仮説

B1

仮説とは、ある現象を説明するために、真偽はともかくとして、とりあえず設定した仮の答えのことです。科学的方法の出発点となり、実験や観察によって検証される必要があります。

保護

A1

The act of keeping someone or something safe from harm, damage, or loss by providing care or creating boundaries. It is a versatile term in Japanese used for social welfare, environmental conservation, and digital security.

革命

A1

A fundamental and sudden change in political power or social structure, often involving a shift in governance. It also refers to a major, transformative shift in technology, thought, or a specific field that completely alters how things are done.

拡大

A1

The act of making something larger in size, scale, or scope. It is frequently used for physical enlargement (like a photo) or abstract growth (like a business or a problem).

販売

A1

The act of selling goods or services to customers, typically within a commercial or professional context. It refers to the business process of making items available for purchase.

取引

A1

A transaction or business deal involving the exchange of money, goods, or services. It refers to the process of doing business with another party or making a trade.

貯金

A1

The act of saving money or the amount of money saved, typically in a bank or a piggy bank. It refers to setting aside funds for future use rather than spending them immediately.

借金

A1

A sum of money that is borrowed from a person or an institution and is expected to be paid back. It refers to the state of owing money or the specific amount of debt accumulated.

利益

A1

Refers to the financial profit a company or individual makes after deducting expenses. It also describes a general benefit, advantage, or gain that someone receives from a situation or action.

損失

A1

A formal noun referring to the loss of something valuable, such as money, property, or time. It is commonly used in business or serious contexts to describe a reduction in value or a disadvantageous outcome.

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