方 as a noun with a relative clause. What does it mean?

Question

Today I encountered this sentence:

その都市の治安はいい[方]{ほう}です。

The general meaning is simple: "The city is safe".

However, what does [方]{ほう} mean in this sentence? Is there an implicit comparison? (ie, "The safety is the best aspect of the city") Does it simply mean "side"? (ie, "Safety is a good aspect of the city").

Thanks.

What about just a semi-literal rendering? "The [civic order / public safety] of the city is on the good side." — Eiríkr Útlendi, Sep 07 '23 at 19:32
Does this answer your question: https://japanese.stackexchange.com/q/61945/9831 / https://japanese.stackexchange.com/q/23883/9831 / https://japanese.stackexchange.com/q/70649/9831 — chocolate, Sep 07 '23 at 23:51

Gene · Accepted Answer · 2023-09-11T19:16:48.083

3

There is indeed an implicit comparison, though not with other aspects of the city but rather with other cities. I'd say a better translation would be "That city is on the safer side" or "that's one of the safer cities."

edited Sep 11 '23 at 19:16

answered Sep 07 '23 at 19:38

Gene

301
1
5

I see. Thank you! – makamoe Sep 11 '23 at 10:34

方 as a noun with a relative clause. What does it mean?

1 Answers1