92934
I know that 方 (ほう) can mean direction or way but that meaning seems to change
a bit in the following sentences:

>   * 佐藤くん、 英語は得意な方(ほう)かな?  
>  Sato, are you good at English?
>   * これは割と使ってる方(ほう)です。  
>  This is relatively used.
>

I can kind of intuitively understand why it is used but I want to have a
better grasp so that I can use this structure myself.
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2022-01-12T02:47:31.497
92933
2022-01-12T06:21:58.540
2022-01-12T03:04:35.727
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question
usage nuances
Usage of 方(ほう) in these sentences
I guess the dictionary definition of the usage is the
[following](https://kotobank.jp/word/%E6%96%B9-442815):

> どちらかというとその傾向であることをいう語。たぐい。 （＃4 精選版 日本国語大辞典）

So the sentences in the question literally mean:

  * Mr Sato, do you tend to be good at English?
  * This tends to be used often.

The usage may have derived from the original meaning of _direction_ or _side_
so that Xするほうだ can be understood as _on the side of X_.

The basic added nuance is _if forced to choose X or not X, then one can say X
is true (of the subject)_. So if making the comparison explicit, the sentences
are something like

  * 佐藤くん、英語は得意か苦手かといえば得意なほうかな？
  * これは使ってるか使ってないかといえば使ってるほうです。

* * *

Another (though similar) way to look at ほうだ should be a weakening of the
statement.

For example, as often said, the Japanese have a strict idea of command in a
language, so

  * 私は英語が得意です sounds like _I can use English almost as a native speaker_.
  * 私は英語が得意なほうです sounds more modest like _I think I can say I'm good at English_.

Another example:

  * 酒は強いほうだ _Generally I can drink a lot_
  * 私は酒にはつよい would mean capability of drinking like Russians.

* * *

Note ほうだ can more simply mean a comparative.

  * 彼はクラスでは背の高いほうだ He is taller than average in the class.

The above can be considered a version of this usage where the comparison is
implicit or vague.
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2022-01-12T06:21:58.540
92934
2022-01-12T06:21:58.540
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92933
answer