Word
大方
Meaning in Englishalmost all, majority
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
What does 大方 mean? It denotes that something is generally true or applies to most cases, indicating a broad tendency or overall common sense.
Main meanings
- Generally, for the most part.
- The bulk or majority of something; the main part.
- Most people or the general public when used in noun phrases.
How to use it
Used as an adverb meaning generally or for the most part, and as a noun meaning the majority or the main part. It appears in both formal and everyday language, often at the start of a sentence to frame a generalization or in written prose to discuss a broad trend.
Variants and close terms
- Generally — ippan ni
- The majority — taihan
- By and large — gaishite
Composition
- 大: large, great
- 方: side, direction, method
- Combination: conveys a broad sense of scale or scope, leading to the meaning of the main part or general tendency
Word class
adverb and noun (副詞・名詞)
Related words by kanji and components
N1
遠方
empou
long way, distant place
N1
大柄
oogara
large build, large pattern
N1
大筋
oosuji
outline, summary
N1
大空
oozora
heaven, the sky
N1
大幅
oohaba
full width, large scale, drastic
N1
大水
oomizu
flood
N1
盛大
seidai
grand, prosperous, magnificent
N1
壮大
soudai
magnificent, grand, majestic
N1
外方
soppo
look (or turn) the other way