方（かた） turns a verb into a noun meaning the way of doing it or how to do it. 読む (read) becomes 読み方 (way of reading, reading), 使う (use) becomes 使い方 (how to use). It is a JLPT N5 pattern you meet on day one of class: every textbook asks for a kanji’s 読み方.
Because the result is a noun, you can put it anywhere a noun goes: before を, が, or は, or after の. That single fact explains almost every rule on this page.
ます-stem + 方 = a noun for the method. 読みます → 読み方.
What does 方（かた） mean?
Verb stem + 方 names the method or manner of an action. Natural English translations:
- how to ~ (使い方 = how to use it)
- the way of ~ing (話し方 = the way someone speaks)
- the ~ method / directions (行き方 = directions, how to get there)
English often uses “how to + verb” here, which is a verb phrase. Japanese uses a noun. So “Please tell me how to use it” becomes “Please tell me the use-way”: 使い方を教えてください.
Read this 方 as かた. The same kanji is read ほう in comparisons (より～ほうが) and in advice (ほうがいい), and あの方 means “that person” in polite speech. After a verb stem, it is always かた.
How to form 方（かた）
Take the ます-form, drop ます, and add 方.
Common N5 combinations:
- 読む → 読みます → 読み方 (how to read, reading)
- 書く → 書きます → 書き方 (how to write)
- 使う → 使います → 使い方 (how to use)
- 作る → 作ります → 作り方 (how to make, recipe)
- 行く → 行きます → 行き方 (how to get there)
- 食べる → 食べます → 食べ方 (how to eat)
The object becomes の. A verb takes its object with を: 漢字を読む. Once the verb becomes a noun, the object attaches with の instead: 漢字の読み方. Places use までの: 駅までの行き方.
する verbs. For a noun + する verb like 勉強する, split the noun off and use しかた: 勉強のしかた (how to study). You will see this written 仕方 later on.
When is 方（かた） used?
- Asking for help. 〜の使い方を教えてください is the standard way to ask someone to show you how something works.
- Saying you don’t know how. 行き方が分かりません (I don’t know how to get there) is more natural than a long “how” question.
- Classroom Japanese. Teachers ask この漢字の読み方は？ and textbooks label sections 書き方 and 読み方.
- Talking about someone’s manner. 話し方 (way of talking) or 歩き方 (way of walking) can describe a person’s style.
方（かた） is neutral. It works in casual speech, polite speech, signs, and manuals. The politeness comes from the verb at the end of the sentence, not from 方.
方（かた） example sentences
この漢字の読み方を教えてください。
Please tell me how to read this kanji.
駅までの行き方が分かりません。
I don't know how to get to the station.
このカメラの使い方は簡単です。
This camera is easy to use.
母にカレーの作り方を習いました。
My mother taught me how to make curry.
先生の話し方が好きです。
I like the way my teacher talks.
はしの使い方が上手ですね。
You're good with chopsticks.
In every sentence, 〜方 sits in a noun slot: before を, が, or は. The English translations change (“how to,” “the way,” “good with”), but the Japanese structure stays the same.
Nuance of 方（かた）
方 names the method, not the action. Compare:
- 日本語を勉強します。 — I study Japanese. (the action)
- 日本語の勉強のしかたを教えてください。 — Please tell me how to study Japanese. (the method)
That is why 方 pairs so often with 教える, 分かる, 知る, and 習う. You teach, know, or learn a method.
In example 5, 話し方 is about manner rather than instructions. Without context, a phrase like 食べ方 can mean either “how to eat it” (instructions for a dish) or “the way someone eats” (their table manners). The rest of the sentence decides which one you mean.
Directions tip: 駅はどこですか asks where the station is. 駅までの行き方を教えてください asks for the route. If you are lost, the second one gets you better help.
方（かた） vs どうやって
Both relate to “how,” but they have different grammar jobs.
Both can get you the same information. Choose どうやって for a direct question and 〜方 when you want a noun you can attach を教えてください or が分かりません to. For transport, どうやって often asks about the means (by bus? on foot?), while 行き方 asks for the route.
Common mistakes with 方（かた）
読み方 is a noun, so its object attaches with の. Two を in a row is a sign something went wrong.
方 follows the ます-stem, not the dictionary form. 使う方 reads as “the person who uses it.”
With する verbs, separate the noun with の and use しかた.
After a verb stem, 方 is always read かた. ほう appears in comparisons and advice patterns.
Is 方（かた） on the JLPT?
Yes. 方（かた） is JLPT N5 grammar, and words like 読み方 and 使い方 also appear as vocabulary.
At N5 you should be able to:
- Build 〜方 from the ます-stem of common verbs
- Choose の (not を) before 〜方 in particle questions
- Read 方 correctly as かた or ほう from context
Expect a sentence like この言葉（ ）読み方が分かりません with a missing particle. The answer is の. In listening, someone asking for directions often says 行き方を教えてください, and the question asks where they want to go.
Practice questions for 方（かた）
Show answer
この言葉の読み方を教えてください。 — Please tell me how to read this word.
Show answer
病院までの行き方が分かりません。 — I don't know how to get to the hospital.
Show answer
このパソコンの使い方を教えてください。 — Please show me how to use this computer.
Show answer
日本語の勉強のしかたを教えてください。 — Please tell me how to study Japanese.
Learning path for 方（かた）
Related grammar to review next
- どうやって — the question-word way to ask “how,” the main alternative to 〜方.
- の particle — explains why the object of 〜方 takes の instead of を.
- たい — another pattern built on the ます-stem, good for stem practice.
- のが上手 — compare 使うのが上手 with 使い方が上手, two ways to praise a skill.
- やすい — the next stem suffix to learn, often used with the same verbs (使いやすい).
Learn 方（かた） with Hane
Hane has you turn verbs into 〜方 nouns and pick の over を until it sticks. You can practice kanji readings like 読み方 in the same session on Hane.
FAQ about 方
What does 方 (kata) mean in Japanese?
方 (kata) means “the way of doing something”. It is JLPT N5 grammar. Verb stem + 方 names the method or manner of an action.
How do you form 方 (kata)?
Take the ます-form, drop ます, and add 方.
What is the difference between 方 and どうやって?
〜方: a noun: “the way to do it”. どうやって: a question word: “how?”.
What is an example sentence with 方 (kata)?
この漢字の読み方を教えてください。 — Please tell me how to read this kanji.