方 details
write + how to do
kaki kata
how to do; the way of doing — the manner of an act, named as a thing
meaning: how to write
この漢字の読み方が分かりません。
kono kanji no yomi kata ga wakarimasen.
I don't know how to read this kanji. neutral
彼の話し方は、いつも落ち着いている。
kare no hanashikata wa, itsumo ochitsuite iru.
The way he speaks is always calm. neutral
- ます-stem
- noun
- alternant
Examples
how to do — the procedure for an act, the sense a learner asks about
この漢字の読み方が分かりません。
kono kanji no yomikata ga wakarimasen.
I don't know how to read this kanji. neutral
この機械の使い方、教えてくれない？
kono kikai no tsukaikata, oshiete kurenai?
Can you show me how to use this machine? casual
母にカレーの作り方を習いました。
haha ni karee no tsukurikata o naraimashita.
I learned how to make curry from my mother. neutral
ご予約の仕方につきましては、窓口でご案内いたします。
go yoyaku no shikata ni tsukimashite wa, madoguchi de go annai itashimasu.
We will guide you through how to make a reservation at the counter. formal
the way it is done — the manner of an act, praised or complained about rather than asked for
彼の話し方は、いつも落ち着いている。
kare no hanashikata wa, itsumo ochitsuite iru.
The way he speaks is always calm. neutral
今日の雨の降り方、ちょっと普通じゃないね。
kyou no ame no furikata, chotto futsuu ja nai ne.
The way it's raining today isn't exactly normal, is it. casual
Formation
{V-masu-stem}方attaches to ます-stem{N}の仕方attaches to noun
Variant notes
- 仕方 — what する turns into here, and it takes の in front of the noun — 説明の仕方, 予約の仕方, never ×説明し方.
Notes
the rain came down, never how to rain.
Related patterns
Similar
ふうに is adverbial and can only modify a predicate (こんなふうに書く); 方 is a noun, so it takes が and を itself — 書き方が分からない stands where ×こんなふうが分からない cannot.
Lookalikes
One kanji, two readings doing unrelated jobs — 読み方 is the manner, ほうが marks the side that wins a comparison (こちらのほうが安い), and only the reading tells them apart, since both are written 方.
Same stem, different claim — 使いやすい rates the thing as easy to use, 使い方 names the procedure and rates nothing, so only 方 can be taught, asked for or written down.