1.
ally, supporter, friend
Someone who supports you or is on your side.
彼は私の味方だ。
He is on my side.
強い味方がいる。
I have a strong ally.
敵か味方かはっきりしてほしい。
I want you to make clear whether you're friend or foe.
困ったときに味方になってくれる友人は大切だ。
Friends who become your ally when you're in trouble are precious.
彼女はいつも弱い者の味方で、誰からも信頼されている。
She is always on the side of the weak, and is trusted by everyone.
2.
to side with, to support
As a suru-verb, to take someone's side.
母が味方してくれた。
My mother sided with me.
誰も味方してくれなかった。
Nobody sided with me.
兄はいつも弟を味方する。
The older brother always sides with the younger brother.
親はどちらの子も味方したくないものだ。
Parents don't want to take sides with either child.
会議で部長が私の意見を味方してくれたおかげで、提案が通った。
Thanks to the department head siding with my opinion at the meeting, the proposal was approved.
ANTONYM:
- 敵 (enemy, foe)
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 味方になる (to become an ally)
- 味方する (to side with)
- 味方につく (to take someone's side)
- 敵か味方か (friend or foe)
- 強い味方 (strong ally/supporter)
NOTE:
Distinguish from 見方 (point of view, way of looking at things) which is a homophone with a different meaning.