Japanese word

片方

Pronunciation

Romajikatahō

Meaning

  • nounone of the two

Example

二つの靴下の片方をなくしました。futa tsu no kutsu shita no kata hō o na ku shi ma shi ta

I lost one of the two socks.

Illustration for 片方 (one of the two)

More examples

二つの案の片方を選んで、理由を説明してください。futa tsu no an no kata hō o era n de ri yū o setsu mei shi te ku da sa i

Choose one of the two proposals and explain why.

Core concept

Points to a single part of a pair or set of two, often in contrast with the remaining part.

Common phrases

  • 片方をなくすkata hō o na ku su

    lose one of the two

  • 片方が壊れるkata hō ga kowa re ru

    one of the two breaks

  • 片方を使うkata hō o tsuka u

    use one of the two

Similar words

一方ippō: One of two people, things, sides, or choices under consideration.
片割れkataware: One member of a pair, especially when its matching member is also understood.

Definition in Japanese

対になっている二つのもののうち、一つの側。tai ni na tte i ru futa tsu no mo no no u chi hito tsu no gawa

Word origin

片方 (katahō) is a native compound of 片 (kata, "part or fragment") and 方 (hō, "side or direction"), combining the ideas of a part and a side.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 片方 (katahō) can refer to either member of a pair, so it does not by itself mean the first, left, or better one.

Other meanings

  • one sidenoun
  • the other onenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word