Japanese word

方角

Pronunciation

Romajihōgaku

Meaning

  • noundirection

Example

目的地の方角を確認します。moku teki chi no hō gaku o kaku nin shi ma su

I check the direction to the destination.

Illustration for 方角 (direction)

More examples

遠くに見える山を目印にして、方角を決めます。tō ku ni mi e ru yama o me jirushi ni shi te hō gaku o ki me ma su

I use the distant mountain as a landmark to decide which direction to take.

Core concept

Describes the side or bearing where a place or destination lies.

Common phrases

  • 方角を決めるhō gaku o ki me ru

    decide which direction to take

  • 方角を間違えるhō gaku o ma chiga e ru

    get the direction wrong

  • 方角を指すhō gaku o sa su

    point in the direction

Similar words

方位hōi: A bearing shown by a compass point or measured in degrees.
方向hōkō: The course along which someone or something travels or points.
方面hōmen: A broad area or side associated with a particular destination.

Definition in Japanese

ある場所や目的地が存在する側を示す向き。a ru ba sho ya moku teki chi ga son zai su ru gawa o shime su mu ki

Word origin

方角 (hōgaku) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 方 (hō, "direction") and 角 (kaku, "corner" or "angle"), referring to the side or angle where something lies.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese maps and everyday speech, 方角 (hōgaku) commonly means a compass bearing or the side of a landmark, while English direction can also mean instructions.

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