方|ほうhou[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. noundirection; way; side; area (in a particular direction)
2. nounside (of an argument, etc.); one's partoften 私の方, あなたの方, etc.
3. nountype; category
4. nounfield (of study, etc.)
5. nounindicates one side of a comparison
   ジョンの方ほうが二人ふたりのうちで背せが高たかい。↗

   John is the taller of the two.
6. nounway; method; manner; means
7. nounlength (of each side of a square)

• Synonym方向ほうこうNeutralPoints to a definite direction or course of action, as in 「駅の方向」 or 「方向転換」; 「ほう」 is vaguer and can also mean one's side in a comparison.
• Synonym方角ほうがくNeutralRefers to compass directions such as north or south, often for something somewhat distant, as in 「家の方角」; 「ほう」 need not be framed by compass points.
• Synonym方面ほうめんNeutralCovers the area lying in a certain direction or a whole field, as in 「新宿方面」 or 「技術方面」; it implies a scope and is more formal than 「ほう」.
• Synonym向きむきNeutralThe direction something faces, as in 「部屋の向き」, or what it is suited for; 「ほう」 centers on the vague side or area.
• Synonym方位ほういWrittenPrecise direction set against the compass points, as in 「八方位」; used in geography, feng shui and the like, where 「ほう」 is not so exact. A written/formal term.
• Related針路しんろWrittenThe course a ship or aircraft travels, by extension a figurative course to follow; its use is much narrower than 「ほう」. A written/formal term.

Default to 「ほう」 for a vague side or area, or one's side in a comparison. Use 「方向」 for a definite direction, 「方角」 for compass directions, 「方面」 for an area or field, 「向き」 for what something faces, and 「針路」 for a ship's course; 「方位」 is the precise, formal one.

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

1. （ホウ）漠然ばくぜんとした方向ほうこう、方面ほうめん、地域ちいき。
2. （ホウ）対立たいりつする一方いっぽうの側がわ。
3. （ホウ）複数ふくすうあるもののうち特定とくていのもの。
4. （ホウ）案件あんけん、依頼いらい、注文ちゅうもん内容ないようなどを漠然ばくぜんと表あらわす。
5. （ホウ）比較ひかくにおいて優勢ゆうせいな側がわを表あらわす。
6. （ホウ）比較的ひかくてき、わりと、どちらかと言いえばそうであるさまを表あらわす。
7. （ホウ、古いにしえ）人ひとを指し示さししめす表現ひょうげん。