方向|ほうこうhoukou[0]heiban (flat)

1. noundirection; orientation; bearing; way
   チーズの棚たなはどちらの方向ほうこうにありますか。↗

   Which way is the cheese shelf?
2. nouncourse (e.g. of action)

• Synonym方角ほうがくNeutralRefers to the points of the compass, often for a somewhat distant target, as in 「駅の方角」; 「方向」 also extends readily to the direction a plan or course of action takes.
• Synonym向きむきNeutralThe way something faces, as in 「南向きの部屋」; also suitability. It centers on the orientation of objects, 「方向」 on the direction you move.
• Synonym方ほうNeutralA loose word for a rough direction or 'that way', as in 「駅の方へ」; common in speech, and vaguer than 「方向」.
• Synonym方位ほういNeutralDirection defined against the cardinal points, as in 「方位磁針」; a technical term leaning to geography and surveying rather than everyday talk.
• Synonym方面ほうめんNeutralA district lying in a certain direction or a field of activity, as in 「東京方面」 or 「経済方面」; the emphasis is on an area, not a heading.
• Related方針ほうしんNeutralA policy or guiding principle for doing things, as in 「経営方針」; it corresponds to 「方向」 in its 'course of action' sense, but is more concrete.
• Related路線ろせんNeutralA transport line or an organization's line, as in 「バス路線」 or 「強硬路線」; leans toward concrete routes or a political course, not physical direction.
• Related道筋みちすじNeutralA path taken, or the orderly steps something develops through, as in 「解決への道筋」; the emphasis is on the process, not on which way one faces.
• Related針路しんろWrittenThe course a ship or plane steers, also figuratively one's course ahead; mostly nautical and aviation use, and belongs to written or formal prose.
• Related道順みちじゅんNeutralThe route to follow to a destination, as in 「道順を教える」; it is about how to get there, not about direction itself.
• RelatedコースNeutralA loanword for a set route, track or course of study, as in 「マラソンコース」; the route is fixed or laid out in advance.

Use 「方向」 for the direction of travel or a course of action. For compass directions say 「方角」 or 「方位」, for the way something faces 「向き」, for a guiding principle 「方針」, and for a concrete route 「道順」 or 「コース」.

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

1. 向むき。進すすむ向むき。
2. 進すすむ目標もくひょうや目当めあて。見通みとおし。