～方 | Grammar

Structure

[verb ます-stem] + 方 [noun] + の + [verb ます-stem] + 方

Description

方 (かた) goes on a verb's ます-stem and turns it into a noun: "the way of doing", "how to do". 読みます gives よみ読みかた方, 使います gives つかいかた使い方.

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Please tell me how to read this kanji.

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I don't know how to use it.

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Her way of speaking is very polite.

The verb goes in the ます-stem, not the dictionary form.

× 読む方 → 読み方

を becomes の

The result is a noun, so the verb's object can't keep を. It takes の instead.

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I write Japanese.

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I am studying how to write Japanese.

× 日本語を書き方 → 日本語の書き方

Other particles keep their place and add の: 駅へ行く becomes えき駅へのいき行きかた方.

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Do you know how to get to the station?

する verbs

A verb like べんきょう勉強する splits in two: the noun takes の, and する becomes しかた仕方, usually written in kanji.

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I changed the way I study.

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Someone showed me how to cook.

× 勉強し方 → 勉強の仕方

Examples

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I don't know how to read this kanji.

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Please teach me how to use chopsticks.

きごう？

Do you know how to get to the station?

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I like his way of speaking.

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The way to make this dish is simple.

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I changed my way of studying Japanese.

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I was taught how to swim.

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You're using this word the wrong way.

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Your way of eating is neat, isn't it?

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I didn't know how to write a letter.

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Please explain how to operate this machine.

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Everyone has their own way of living.

References

The Non Question How ～方かたimabi.org