How to say "aspect" in Japanese

• 向きむきJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, noun (suffix)Covers the physical sense: which way something faces, as in a room's or building's aspect or exposure. It is not the word for an abstract aspect of a problem or issue.
• 様相ようそうJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounRefers to the overall look or appearance of a situation — how things stand or present themselves at a given time, as when a situation takes on a new aspect or phase.
  コンピューターが産業さんぎょうの様相ようそうを大おおきく変かえた。↗

  Computers have changed the industrial picture considerably.
• 側面そくめんJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounCovers one facet of something that has several — examining a problem from various aspects, for instance. When English 'aspect' means one dimension of a multi-dimensional issue, this is the word you want.
  スポーツが人々ひとびとに訴うったえるのは、その健康的けんこうてき側面そくめんによるだけでなく、チーム競技きょうぎが養やしなう協調きょうちょう精神せいしん、それに競争きょうそう的てき側面そくめんそのものにもよるのである。↗

  It's not only the health aspects of sports that appeal to people, but the cooperative aspect that team sports teach, and the competitive aspect in itself.
• 方面ほうめんJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounMainly a field of study or sphere, or a quarter of a region. Its 'aspect' sense is marginal: for the facets of an issue this is seldom the word you want.
• 局面きょくめんCommon
  nounThe situation or stage that affairs have reached at a given point, as when negotiations enter a new phase. Its 'aspect' sense is this situational one; for facets of a topic use 側面.
  われわれは局面きょくめんの打開だかいを図はからなくてはならない。↗

  We must try to break the deadlock.

Use 側面 for a facet of an issue, 様相 for the overall look of a situation, 局面 for a stage in unfolding events, 「向き」 for physical orientation, and 方面 mainly for fields or quarters, not aspects.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 向きむきdirection
• 様相ようそうaspect
• アスペクトaspect
• 事相じそうaspect
• 相そうaspect
• 部面ぶめんphase
• 概がいappearance
• 側面そくめんaspect
• 趣おもむきappearance
• 方面ほうめんfield (e.g. of study)
• 局面きょくめんsituation
• 面めんaspect
• ところpoint
• 点てんpoint