JLPT N5 · Verb forms and tenses

Vます + 方

Names the way to perform an action

Meaning

Names the way to perform an action.

Formation

  1. Drop ます and add 方 (kata): 読みます → 読み方
  2. 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
  • 駅えきへの行きいき方かたが分かりわかりません

    I do not know how to get to the station.

  • 先生せんせいにこの字じの書き方かきかたを聞きましたききました

    I asked the teacher how to write this character.

  • この料理りょうりの作り方つくりかたを母ははに聞きますききます

    I will ask my mother how to make this dish.

  • この名前なまえの読みよみ方かたを教えおしえてください

    Please tell me how to read this name.

  • 券売機けんばいきの使いつかい方かたが分かりわかりません

    I do not know how to use the ticket machine.

  • この料理りょうりの作りつくり方かたは簡単かんたんです

    This dish is easy to make.

  • 駅えきへの行きいき方かたを調べしらべました

    I looked up how to get to the station.

6 more examples
  • この漢字かんじの書きかき方かたを練習れんしゅうします

    I will practise how to write this kanji.

  • 彼かれの話しはなし方かたはゆっくりです

    His way of speaking is slow.

  • 薬くすりの飲みのみ方かたを確認かくにんしてください

    Please check how to take the medicine.

  • ごみの捨てすて方かたは町まちによって違いちがいます

    Ways of disposing of rubbish differ by town.

  • ネクタイの結びむすび方かたを覚えおぼえたいです

    I want to learn how to tie a tie.

  • 写真しゃしんの送りおくり方かたが分かりわかりました

    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.

  1. Sentence 1: この漢字かんじの書きかき方かたを練習れんしゅうします

  2. Sentence 2: ごみの捨てすて方かたは町まちによって違いちがいます

  3. Sentence 3: 写真しゃしんの送りおくり方かたが分かりわかりました

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