Japanese word

地方

Pronunciation

Romajichihō

Meaning

  • nounarea

Example

この地方は海が近いです。ko no chi hō wa umi ga chika i de su

This area is near the sea.

Illustration for 地方 (area)

More examples

この地方は冬に雪がたくさん降ります。ko no chi hō wa fuyu ni yuki ga ta ku sa n o ri ma su

This area gets a lot of snow in winter.

地方では冬に雪が多いです。chi hō de wa fuyu ni yuki ga ō i de su

There is a lot of snow in this area in winter.

Core concept

Points to one area within a larger whole, often considered in relation to a central or more prominent area.

Common phrases

  • 地方へ行くchi hō e i ku

    go to a rural area

  • 地方から来るchi hō ka ra ku ru

    come from a rural area

  • 地方で暮らすchi hō de ku ra su

    live in a rural area

Similar words

地域chiiki: An area identified by shared geographic or social features.
地区chiku: A defined part of a larger area, often used for administration or planning.

Definition in Japanese

国や地域をいくつかに分けたときの一つの範囲。中心となる都市以外の土地。kuni ya chi iki o i ku tsu ka ni wa ke ta to ki no hito tsu no han i chū shin to na ru to shi i gai no to chi

Word origin

地方 (chihō) combines 地 (chi, "land") with 方 (hō, "direction" or "side"), expressing a side or part of a larger land.

Usage tips

  • Japanese news and public discussions often use 地方 (chihō) for areas outside Japan's major urban centers, making the word useful when talking about rural or nonmetropolitan life.

Other meanings

  • regionnoun
  • districtnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word