LEARN + JAPANESE / Note 107 JLPT N5
The Way to Do It (〜方)
方 attaches to a verb’s stem, the part right before ます, turning the verb into a noun that names the method or manner of doing it, “the way to X.”
how to write an email
how to speak using polite language
In Real Life
書く becomes 書き方, 話す becomes 話し方, the same stem-attachment mechanism you already used for はじめる、おわる、and たい. Once turned into a noun, 方 can take の to connect to another noun, ちらしの作り方, “how to make a flyer.”
Could you teach me how to find the book?
Could you teach me how to use the DVD player?
In Real Life
教えていただけませんか, a very polite request built on いただく, pairs naturally with 方 whenever you’re asking someone to show you how something works, a common combination in real conversation.
Vocabulary
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| to memorize | |
| to look into, research | |
| signature | |
| hot spring | |
| to take care of | |
| laundry | |
| bullet train | |
| to guide, show around | |
| to search for | |
| article | |
| to make a copy | |
| player (device) | |
| steps, procedure | |
| method | |
| the trick, the knack | |
| simple, easy | |
| complicated | |
| instruction manual | |
| to devise, find a good way | |
| to practice |