四方(しほう)

しほう
noun
all sides; all directions; everywhere
1. four directions; all sides
north, south, east, and west; the four cardinal directions
四方(しほう)を山(やま)に囲(かこ)まれている。
It is surrounded by mountains on all sides.
四方(しほう)から風(かぜ)が吹(ふ)いてくる。
The wind blows from all directions.
四方(しほう)を見渡(みわた)すと海(うみ)しか見(み)えない。
Looking in all directions, I can see nothing but the sea.
2. everywhere; all around
in every direction, surrounding area
四方(しほう)を見渡(みわた)すと海(うみ)しか見(み)えない。
Looking in all directions, I can see nothing but the sea.
敵(てき)は四方(しほう)に散(ち)らばった。
The enemies scattered in all directions.
四方(しほう)八方(はっぽう)手(て)を尽(つ)くした。
I tried every possible means.
四方(しほう)に目(め)を配(くば)る。
To keep an eye on everything around.

READING VARIANTS:
Also read as よも in some expressions like 四方(よも)の海(うみ) (seas all around; the world).

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 四方(しほう)八方(はっぽう) - all directions; every which way
  • 四方(しほう)を囲(かこ)む - to surround on all sides
  • 四方(しほう)山(やま) - mountains on all sides (landlocked location)

RELATED DIRECTIONAL TERMS:

  • 東西南北(とうざいなんぼく) - the four cardinal directions
  • 八方(はっぽう) - eight directions; all directions
general
Added 2026.1.28 12:32
08500/08729_shihou