方 — Kanji Meaning, Readings & Example Words (JLPT N4)
What it means
The core idea of 方 is a direction or a side — which way something faces, or which of two options you mean. From there it stretches in two very useful directions of its own. As the on'yomi ホウ, it builds compounds about ways and methods (方法 "method," 地方 "region"). As the kun'yomi かた, it does two jobs: it's a polite word for "person" (あの方 "that person") and a suffix meaning "way of doing" (作り方 "how to make," 読み方 "how to read").
Because 方 turns up in grammar too — the comparative 〜のほうが ("the ... side is more...") and the advice pattern 〜ほうがいい ("you'd better...") — getting comfortable with it pays off across both vocabulary and sentence patterns.
Readings
| Type | Reading | Used in |
|---|---|---|
| on'yomi | ホウ | 方法 (method), 地方 (region), 両方 (both) |
| kun'yomi | かた | あの方 (that person — polite), 読み方 (way of reading), 作り方 (way of making) |
| kun'yomi | -がた | 夕方 (evening — voiced suffix) |
A handy rule of thumb: the on'yomi ホウ shows up inside two-kanji compounds (方法, 地方, 両方), while the kun'yomi かた appears when 方 stands more on its own — as the polite "person" (あの方) or attached to a verb stem to mean "way of doing" (読み方). When かた sits at the end of certain words, it voices to -がた, as in 夕方 (ゆうがた, "evening").
Stroke order & radical
- Strokes: 4, written top to bottom — the short top stroke first, then the horizontal, then the left-falling stroke, and finally the hooked stroke that wraps around.
- Radical: 方 is its own radical, the "direction" radical (ほう). It also appears as a component in other kanji such as 旅 (travel) and 族 (tribe / family), where the upper-right part grows out of this shape.
Because 方 has only 4 strokes, it's quick to write — but take care with that final hooked stroke, which gives the character its leaning, "pointing" feel.
Common words using 方
Notice the split in action: every two-kanji compound (方法, 地方, 両方) takes ホウ, while the standalone polite "person" (あの方) and the "way of doing" suffix (読み方) take かた — and 夕方 voices it to -がた.
Example sentences
ヤッタンは漢字を覚える方法を先生に聞いた。
ヤッタンは かんじを おぼえる ほうほうを せんせいに きいた。
Yattan asked the teacher for a method to memorize kanji.
方法 — the on'yomi ホウ reading, inside a compound.
この漢字の読み方が分からないので、あの方に聞いてみよう。
この かんじの よみかたが わからないので、あの かたに きいて みよう。
I don't know how to read this kanji, so let's try asking that person.
Two kun'yomi uses of かた: 読み方 ('way of reading') and あの方 ('that person', polite).
モチは「夕方より朝の方がいいよ」と弟に言いました。
モチは「ゆうがたより あさの ほうが いいよ」と おとうとに いいました。
Mochi told her little brother, Morning is better than evening.
夕方 uses the voiced -がた; 朝の方が uses ホウ in the comparative 〜のほうが pattern.
Quick recap
- 方 = direction / way / side, and politely person; 4 strokes; it's the "direction" radical itself.
- ホウ in compounds (方法, 地方, 両方); かた when standalone-polite (あの方) or as the "way of doing" suffix (読み方).
- The suffix can voice to -がた, as in 夕方 (ゆうがた).
- Watch for the grammar 〜ほうがいい ("you'd better...") and 〜方 / 読み方 ("way of doing"), which both use 方.
Your turn
Choose the correct reading of 方 in each word.
Start the 5-question drill →Frequently asked questions
How do you read 方 in 方法 vs あの方?
In 方法 it's the on'yomi ホウ (方法 = ほうほう, 'method'). In あの方 it's the kun'yomi かた (あの方 = あのかた, 'that person', polite). As a rule, two-kanji compounds take ホウ.
Why is 夕方 read ゆうがた and not ゆうかた?
When かた attaches as a suffix it often voices (rendaku) to -がた. So 夕 (ゆう, evening) + 方 (かた) becomes 夕方 = ゆうがた, 'evening'.
What does 〜方 mean when added to a verb?
Attached to a verb stem, 方 (かた) means 'the way of doing' something. 読み方 (よみかた) = 'way of reading', 作り方 (つくりかた) = 'how to make'.
What's the difference between 〜のほうが and 〜ほうがいい?
Both use 方 (ほう). 〜のほうが is the comparative, 'the ... side is more ...' (朝のほうがいい = 'morning is better'). 〜ほうがいい gives advice, 'you'd better ...' (早く寝たほうがいい = 'you'd better sleep early').