Where and which way

Ask and say where something is and which way to go.

Mix-ups Ichi (position) sounds exactly like ichi (one).

houkou

direction; way

Houkou onchi = someone with no sense of direction.

casual

eki wa dotchi no houkou?

Which way is the station?

駅はどっちの方向？

polite

eki wa dochira no houkou desu ka?

Which direction is the station?

駅はどちらの方向ですか？

Written 方向 · ほうこうRank #1916 in 3,030 TV dramas

position; location; place

Exactly where something is, as on a map or in a lineup.

Same sounds as ichi (one); pitch and context tell them apart.

casual

ima no ichi, okutte kureru?

Can you send me your location?

今の位置、送ってくれる？

polite

ima no ichi o okutte moraemasu ka?

Could you send me your current location?

今の位置を送ってもらえますか？

Written 位置 · いちRank #2597 in 3,030 TV dramas

centre; middle; core

The centre point, or the main focus: X o chuushin ni = centred on X.

Mannaka is the everyday 'middle'; chuushin also means the main part.

casual

machi no chuushin ni sunderu.

I live right in the centre of town.

町の中心に住んでる。

polite

machi no chuushin ni sunde imasu.

I live in the centre of town.

町の中心に住んでいます。

Written 中心 · ちゅうしんRank #2322 in 3,030 TV dramas