1.
mostly, generally, for the most part, almost
Indicates that something is largely or nearly complete, or that a statement applies in most cases.
準備は大方終わった。
The preparations are mostly done.
大方の人は賛成するだろう。
Most people would probably agree.
引っ越しの荷物は大方片付いたが、まだダンボールが数箱残っている。
The moving boxes are mostly put away, but there are still a few cardboard boxes left.
2.
probably, most likely
Used to express a guess or supposition about something, suggesting the speaker is fairly confident.
大方忘れたのだろう。
He probably forgot.
遅刻した理由は大方寝坊だろう。
The reason for being late is probably oversleeping.
あの様子だと、大方試験の結果が悪かったのだろう。
Judging by the look on his face, his exam results were probably bad.
大方 functions as both an adverb and a noun modifier.
SENSE 1 — MOSTLY:
When modifying verbs, it means "for the most part" or "nearly." When modifying nouns as 大方の + noun, it means "most" or "the majority of."
SENSE 2 — PROBABLY:
Used to make educated guesses, often paired with だろう or でしょう.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- だいたい: the most common everyday equivalent ("roughly, mostly")
- 大方: slightly more literary or formal
- 概ね: formal/written ("generally, on the whole")
- たいてい: for habitual actions ("usually")