Meaning
Names the way to perform an action.
Formation
- Drop ます and add 方 (kata): 読みます → 読み方
- The result is a noun, so the object attaches with の: この漢字の読み方
When to use it
- Core use
- Names the way to perform an action
Examples
14 sentences-
この料理の作り方を母に聞きました
I asked my mother how to make this dish.
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駅への行き方が分かりません
I do not know how to get to the station.
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先生にこの字の書き方を聞きました
I asked the teacher how to write this character.
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この料理の作り方を母に聞きます
I will ask my mother how to make this dish.
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この名前の読み方を教えてください
Please tell me how to read this name.
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券売機の使い方が分かりません
I do not know how to use the ticket machine.
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この料理の作り方は簡単です
This dish is easy to make.
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駅への行き方を調べました
I looked up how to get to the station.
6 more examples
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この漢字の書き方を練習します
I will practise how to write this kanji.
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彼の話し方はゆっくりです
His way of speaking is slow.
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薬の飲み方を確認してください
Please check how to take the medicine.
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ごみの捨て方は町によって違います
Ways of disposing of rubbish differ by town.
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ネクタイの結び方を覚えたいです
I want to learn how to tie a tie.
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写真の送り方が分かりました
I figured out how to send photos.
Important notes
- The result is a noun, so the object of the verb takes の: 漢字を書く → 漢字の書き方. For する nouns the usual word is 仕方: 勉強の仕方.
Common mistakes
- Keep a direction particle before の: 駅への行き方 (how to get to the station). 方 does not attach to the dictionary form: 読む方 means 'the person who reads', not 'how to read'.
Check yourself
Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.
Similar grammar
Hear it in podcasts
The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.
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