方
Way of ~ing, How to ~, Manner of ~ing
Structure
［
Noun + の + Verb［stem］+ 方
Examples:
飲み
勉強+ の + 仕方
Explanation
By adding 方 to the ます stem of a verb, you can express 'how to do (A)' or 'the manner of doing (A)'. This directly relates to the common meaning of 方, which is 'way' or 'method'.
- あなたの笑い方はお母さんとそっくりですね。The way you laugh is just like your mother's.
- このパソコンの使い方がよく分かりません。I don't really understand how to use this computer.
- 兄に車の運転の仕方を教えてもらった。My older brother taught me how to drive a car. (The way to do it)
For verbs that use する, you will often see the form 仕方. It means the same as しかた written in hiragana. The kanji 仕 originally means 'to serve' or 'to do', so 仕方 can be interpreted as the 'method of doing (A)'. This structure is formed by taking the noun part of the する verb, followed by の, and then 仕方.
- すみません、ホテルの予約の仕方を教えていただけませんか。Excuse me, could you show me how to make a hotel reservation?
- 私はアルバイトで、お客さんに注文の仕方を説明しました。At my part-time job, I explained to the customers how to place an order.
Fun Fact
Once 方 is added to a verb, the whole phrase functions as a single noun. Because of this, it can be marked by particles like は or を, allowing it to be used in more complex sentences.
- あの選手の泳ぎ方を見て、とても感動した。I was deeply impressed after seeing the way that athlete swims.
Examples
この漢字の読みかたが知りたいです。
I want to know how to read this kanji.
あの人の歩きかたはモデルみたいだ。
That person's way of walking is like a model's.
君の考えかたには賛成できない。
I can't agree with your way of thinking.
母に肉じゃがの料理のしかたを習いました。
I learned from my mother how to cook nikujaga.
このゲームの遊びかたが複雑で難しい。
How to play this game is complicated and difficult.
彼のような生きかたに憧れる。
I admire a way of life like his.
彼女の歌いかたは独特で魅力的だ。
Her style of singing is unique and charming.
父の運転のしかたは少し荒い。
My father's way of driving is a little rough.
彼女の笑いかたがとても可愛い。
Her way of laughing is very cute.
物の見かたを変えれば、世界も変わる。
If you change your way of seeing things, the world will change too.
野菜の育てかたを祖父から教わった。
I was taught how to grow vegetables by my grandfather.
人との付き合いかたが分からなくなることがある。
Sometimes I'm not sure how to interact with people.