Japanese word

方々

Pronunciation

Romajikatagata

Meaning

  • nounpeople

Example

あちらの方々は学生です。a chi ra no kata gata wa gaku sei de su

Those people over there are students.

Illustration for 方々 (people)

More examples

近所の方々にあいさつしました。kin jo no kata gata ni a i sa tsu shi ma shi ta

I greeted the people in my neighborhood.

Core concept

Refers to a group of people with a respectful and somewhat formal tone.

Common phrases

  • 近所の方々kin jo no kata gata

    the people in the neighborhood

  • 方々に感謝するkata gata ni kan sha su ru

    thank people

Similar words

皆さんminasan: Refers to several people in a friendly or respectful way, often when addressing them.
人たちhitotachi: Means a group of people viewed in a simple and neutral way.
皆様minasama: Refers to or addresses all members of a group politely.

Definition in Japanese

複数の人を敬意を込めて指す語。fuku sū no hito o kei i o ko me te sa su go

Word origin

The noun 方々 (katagata) comes from repeating 方 (kata, "person"), giving the word a respectful plural sense.

Usage tips

  • 方々 (katagata) often sounds more formal than 皆さん (minasan) when referring to or addressing several people.

Other meanings

  • everyonenoun

Word lists with this word