八方(はっぽう)

はっぽう
noun
all directions; everywhere
1. all directions; all sides; everywhere
All eight compass directions (the four cardinal and four intermediate directions), or more generally, all directions.
八方(はっぽう)から攻撃(こうげき)を受(う)ける。
To be attacked from all directions.
八方(はっぽう)塞(ふさ)がりで困(こま)っている。
I'm stuck with no way out (blocked in all directions).
八方(はっぽう)美人(びじん)と言(い)われたくない。
I don't want to be called a people-pleaser (someone who tries to please everyone).

THE EIGHT DIRECTIONS:

  • 東(ひがし) (east)
  • 西(にし) (west)
  • 南(みなみ) (south)
  • 北(きた) (north)
  • 北東(ほくとう) (northeast)
  • 北西(ほくせい) (northwest)
  • 南東(なんとう) (southeast)
  • 南西(なんせい) (southwest)

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 八方(はっぽう)塞(ふさ)がり (blocked in all directions; no way out)
  • 八方(はっぽう)美人(びじん) (lit. 'beauty in all directions'; someone who tries to please everyone, often negative)
  • 八方(はっぽう)手(て)を尽(つ)くす (to try every possible means)

RELATED TERMS:

  • 四方(しほう) (four directions)
  • 四方八方(しほうはっぽう) (all directions, everywhere)
  • 全方位(ぜんほうい) (all directions, omnidirectional)

Related Words

Related: 四方(しほう) (four directions)
core
Added 2026.1.18 10:14 · Revised 2026.2.3 23:48
06500/06613_happou