方: the kanji for direction, way, person (polite)
方 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means direction, way, person (polite). Below are its readings, 15 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
方 is written in 4 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
方 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 14 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ホウ (hou)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 方法ほうほう · hōhō | method; way |
| 地方ちほう · chihō | region |
| 方向ほうこう · hōkō | direction |
| 方針ほうしん · hōshin | policy; course of action |
| 両方りょうほう · ryōhō | both |
かた (kata)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 方かた · kata | person (polite) |
| 話し方はなしかた · hanashikata | way of speaking |
| 使い方つかいかた · tsukaikata | how to use |
| 読み方よみかた · yomikata | how to read; reading |
| 夕方ゆうがた · yūgata | evening |
| この方このかた · kono kata | this person (polite) |
| やり方やりかた · yarikata | way of doing |
| 見方みかた · mikata | point of view |
| 味方みかた · mikata | ally; supporter |
Special readings to learn as whole words
These words use 方, but their readings do not follow the readings above. The Jōyō Kanji Table lists them as special readings. Learn each one as a whole word.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 行方ゆくえ · yukue | whereabouts |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- この機械の使い方を教えてください。Kono kikai no tsukaikata o oshiete kudasai.Please show me how to use this machine.
- こちらの方が新しい部長です。Kochira no kata ga atarashii buchō desu.This is our new department manager.
- 夕方までに資料を送ります。Yūgata made ni shiryō o okurimasu.I'll send the documents by this evening.
- 別の方法を考えましょう。Betsu no hōhō o kangaemashō.Let's think of another way.
- 両方の案を比べてみます。Ryōhō no an o kurabete mimasu.I'll compare both plans.
- この漢字の読み方がわかりません。Kono kanji no yomikata ga wakarimasen.I don't know how to read this kanji.
Questions about 方
How many strokes does 方 have?
方 is written in 4 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 方?
The on readings are hou (ホウ). The kun readings are kata (かた).
How do you say "how to" in Japanese?
Add 方 (kata) to the stem of a verb. 使う (tsukau, to use) becomes 使い方 (tsukaikata, how to use), and 読む (yomu, to read) becomes 読み方 (yomikata, how to read).
What JLPT level is 方?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Places and buildings
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 方
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.