Translation guide
The English phrase 'all directions' refers to every possible direction from a point. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through several common words and phrases, each with slightly different nuances and usage contexts.
Describing movement, scattering, or spreading in all directions from a central point.
Literally 'four directions' (north, south, east, west), but used to mean 'all directions' or 'every direction'. Common in both spoken and written Japanese.
鳥が四方に飛び立った。
The birds flew off in all directions.
四方八方探したが見つからなかった。
I searched in all directions but couldn't find it.
Emphatic phrase meaning 'in all directions', 'everywhere'. More emphatic than 四方 alone. Often used with verbs like 探す (search) or 逃げる (run away).
警察が四方八方に散らばって犯人を捜した。
The police spread out in all directions to search for the criminal.
Literally 'all directions/azimuths'. Often used in technical or formal contexts, such as describing cameras, antennas, or strategies. Can also be used figuratively.
このカメラは全方位を監視できる。
This camera can monitor all directions.
Means 'every direction' or 'all directions'. あらゆる means 'all kinds of' or 'every possible'. Slightly more formal/literary than 四方.
あらゆる方向から攻撃を受けた。
We were attacked from all directions.
Emphasizing that something comes from multiple directions simultaneously, often with a sense of being surrounded.
Literally 'from four directions', meaning 'from all sides'. Very common and natural.
四方から風が吹き込む。
The wind blows in from all directions.
敵が四方から迫ってきた。
The enemy closed in from all directions.
Literally 'from eight directions', meaning 'from all sides'. More emphatic than 四方から, often used in set phrases like 八方塞がり (being stuck in all directions).
八方から非難を浴びた。
I was criticized from all sides.
Means 'from here and there', 'from all over'. Casual and conversational. Implies multiple, scattered sources rather than a uniform surrounding.
あちこちから苦情が来ている。
Complaints are coming in from all directions.
Describing things or people spreading out or dispersing in many directions.
Adverb meaning 'scattered', 'dispersed', 'in all directions'. Often used with verbs like 逃げる (run away) or 散る (scatter).
群衆は散り散りに逃げた。
The crowd fled in all directions.
Onomatopoeic word meaning 'scattered', 'in pieces', or 'in all directions'. Can describe both physical scattering and disunity.
書類がばらばらに散らばった。
The papers were scattered in all directions.
四方 (four directions) is the standard way to say 'all directions'. 八方 (eight directions) is more emphatic and often used in set phrases like 八方美人 (someone who tries to please everyone) or 八方塞がり (stalemate). In everyday speech, 四方 is more common.
四方八方手を尽くした。
I tried everything possible (literally: exhausted means in all directions).
Avoid directly translating 'all directions' as 全ての方向 (subete no hōkō). While grammatically correct, it sounds unnatural and overly literal. Use 四方 or other set phrases instead.