Translation and Meaning of: 方 - kata
The Japanese word 方[かた] is a versatile and essential term for those learning the language. Its meaning can vary depending on the context, but it is generally related to direction, manner, or person. In this article, we will explore the usage of this word in everyday life, its origin, and how it is perceived in Japanese culture. If you want to understand better how 方[かた] functions in sentences or want to memorize it efficiently, keep reading!
Meaning and common uses of 方 [かた]
方 [かた] can be translated in different ways, depending on the situation. One of the most common meanings is "direction" or "side," as in こっちの方 (kocchi no kata) – "to this side." It can also indicate a person in a respectful manner, replacing 人 (hito) in formal contexts, as in この方 (kono kata) – "this person."
Additionally, 方 appears in expressions that describe ways of doing something, such as やり方 (yarikata) – "way of doing". This flexibility makes the word useful in various situations, from casual conversations to more formal language.
Origin and writing in kanji
The kanji 方 is composed of the radical 方 (direction) and has ancient origins in Chinese writing. It carries the idea of spatial orientation, which explains its use in words related to directions and methods. The pronunciation かた (kata) is one of the kun'yomi readings, while the most common on'yomi is ほう (hou), as in 方法 (houhou) – "method".
It is worth noting that, although the kanji is the same, the reading changes according to the context. This can confuse beginners, but with practice, it becomes easier to distinguish when to use かた or ほう. One tip is to observe if the word refers to a person (generally かた) or to a more abstract concept (such as in 方針 – houshin, "policy").
Tips for memorizing and using correctly
An effective way to 方[かた] is to associate it with concrete situations. For example, ing that in restaurants or stores, employees might say こちら方へどうぞ (kochira kata e douzo) – "please, this way." This type of expression helps to memorize not only the meaning but also the natural pronunciation.
Another strategy is to practice with compound words that use 方, such as 話し方 (hanashikata - "way of speaking") or 読み方 (yomikata - "way of reading"). These are common in everyday life and reinforce the understanding of the grammatical structure in which 方 appears.
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 方向 (Hōkō) - Direction, course
- 方式 (Hōshiki) - Method, a way of doing something
- 方法 (Hōhō) - Method, way to perform a task
- 方面 (Hōmen) - Area, field of consideration or perspective
- 方針 (Hōshin) - Guideline, action plan
Romaji: kata
Kana: かた
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3
Translation / Meaning: person
Meaning in English: person
Definition: 【law】 1. A method or way of perceiving or thinking about things.
Quick Access
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How to Write in Japanese - (方) kata
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (方) kata:
Example Sentences - (方) kata
See below some example sentences:
Kono heya no teburu wa chouhoukei no katachi o shite imasu
The table in this room is in the shape of a rectangle.
The table in this room has a rectangular shape.
- この部屋の - indicates that the sentence refers to something inside this quarto
- テーブル - table
- は - partícula that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, the table
- 長方形 - Rectangle
- の - partícula that indicates possession, in this case, the shape of the table
- 形 - Form
- を - particle indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case, the shape of the table
- しています - verb that indicates that the table has the shape of a rectangle
Toofu kara kita tomodachi ni ai ni ikitai desu
I want to go meet a friend who came from far away.
I want to go see a friend from afar.
- 遠方 (enpou) - distant
- から (kara) - of
- 来た (kita) - came
- 友達 (tomodachi) - friend
- に (ni) - for
- 会いに (aini) - find
- 行きたい (ikitai) - I want to go
- です (desu) - is
Housaku wo nuruageru hitsuyou ga aru
A strategy needs to be devised.
It is necessary to develop measures.
- 方策 - means "strategy" in Japanese.
- を - object particle.
- 練り上げる - verb meaning "to elaborate" or "to develop".
- 必要 - means "necessary" or "essential".
- が - Subject particle.
- ある - Verb that means "to exist" or "to have".
Fukugō shisetsu wa tayōna tanoshimikata ga dekiru
Complex facilities offer various ways to enjoy.
Complex installations can enjoy various ways.
- 複合施設 (fukugou shisetsu) - complex installation
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 多様な (tayou na) - diverse, varied
- 楽しみ方 (tanoshimi kata) - ways to have fun
- が (ga) - subject particle
- できる (dekiru) - Be able to
Seikaku wa shihen ga hitoshii shikakkei desu
A square is a quadrilateral with four equal sides.
The square is a square with four equal sides.
- 正方形 - It means "square" in Japanese.
- は - topic particle in Japanese.
- 四辺 - It means "four sides" in Japanese.
- が - subject particle in Japanese.
- 等しい - It means "equal" in Japanese.
- 四角形 - means "quadrilateral" in Japanese.
- です - The verb "to be" in Japanese in the polite form.
Houhou ni sanpo suru no wa tanoshii desu
It's fun to walk around in all directions.
It's fun to take a walk around people.
- 方々 (houhou) - means "everywhere" or "in every corner".
- に (ni) - particle that indicates the target or destination of the action, in this case, "everywhere".
- 散歩する (sanpo suru) - verb meaning "to stroll" or "to walk".
- のは (no wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "walking".
- 楽しい (tanoshii) - adjective meaning "fun" or "pleasant."
- です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence.
Hougen wa chiiki ni yotte kotonaru kotoba desu
Dialect is a different word depending on the region.
The dialect is different in the region.
- 方言 - dialect
- 地域 - region
- によって - according to
- 異なる - different
- 言葉 - word
- です - is
Kuyandemo shikata ga nai
There's no point in regretting.
I can't help but regret it.
- 悔やんでも - "even if you regret"
- 仕方がない - "there's nothing to be done"
Kanojo no kenkō jōtai wa otoroeru ippō da
Your health condition is worsening.
Your health is about to decline.
- 彼女の - "her" - "from her/hers"
- 健康状態は - "kenkou joutai wa" - health condition is "health condition is"
- 衰える - "oshieru" - to teach declining
- 一方だ - "ippou da" - Only in Japanese more and more
Kenchiku wa utsukushisa to kinōsei no ryōhō o sonaeta geijutsu desu
Architecture is an art that combines beauty and functionality.
Architecture is an art with beauty and functionality.
- 建築 - construction, building
- 美しさ - beauty
- と - I'm sorry, but I need a text or string to translate from Portuguese to English. Please provide the content you'd like me to work on.
- 機能性 - functionality
- の - of
- 両方 - both, the two
- を - direct object
- 備えた - equipped, endowed
- 芸術 - art
- です - is
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
