方角(ほうがく)

ほうがく
noun
direction; bearing; orientation
1. direction; bearing; compass direction
one of the cardinal or intercardinal directions (north, south, east, west, etc.)
この方角(ほうがく)に行(い)けば駅(えき)がある。
If you go in this direction, you'll find the station.
方角(ほうがく)が分(わ)からなくなった。
I lost my sense of direction.
2. orientation (of a building or room)
the direction a building or room faces, important in Japanese real estate
この部屋(へや)は南向(みなみむ)きの方角(ほうがく)だ。
This room faces south.
物件(ぶっけん)を選(えら)ぶとき、方角(ほうがく)は重要(じゅうよう)だ。
The orientation is important when choosing a property.

方角(ほうがく) refers specifically to compass directions (north, south, east, west) and the orientation of buildings. It is more specific than 方向(ほうこう), which means direction in a general sense.

CARDINAL DIRECTIONS:

  • 東(ひがし): east
  • 西(にし): west
  • 南(みなみ): south
  • 北(きた): north

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 方角(ほうがく)が分(わ)からない: to not know which direction
  • 南向(みなみむ)きの方角(ほうがく): south-facing orientation
  • 方角(ほうがく)を確認(かくにん)する: to check the direction

REAL ESTATE USAGE:
In Japanese property listings, 方角(ほうがく) is a standard item. 南向(みなみむ)き (south-facing) is the most desirable orientation because rooms get the most sunlight throughout the day.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 方角(ほうがく): compass direction, orientation (specific to N/S/E/W)
  • 方向(ほうこう): direction (general — "which way")
  • 方位(ほうい): compass bearing (more technical/precise)
  • 向(む)き: facing, orientation (practical — 南向(みなみむ)き)

Related Words

Contrast: 方向(ほうこう) (direction (general))
general
Added 2026.1.27 9:58 · Revised 2026.4.20 16:13
08000/08447_hougaku