方
JLPT N5
Kun-yomi (Japanese reading)
かた
On-yomi (Chinese reading)
ホウ
Meaning
Direction, way, person (honorific)
Stroke Count
4 strokes
Examples

方法

Related Vocabulary

方法 method, way, means地方 region, local area, province一方で on the other hand, at the same time考え方 way of thinking, perspective読み方 how to read, reading (of kanji)書き方 how to write, way of writing話し方 way of speaking, manner of speech作り方 how to make, recipe生き方 way of living, lifestyle使い方 how to use, usage

📝 How to Remember

With 4 strokes, 「方」is easy to write once you learn the stroke order. Practice writing it 5 times daily until it becomes automatic.

⚠️ Teacher's Note — On-yomi vs Kun-yomi

「方」has both On-yomi (ホウ) and Kun-yomi (かた). On-yomi is typically used in compound words (two kanji together), while Kun-yomi appears when the kanji stands alone or with hiragana.

🎯 JLPT N5 — How It's Tested

もんだい1 (Kanji Reading) & もんだい2 (Kanji Writing)

「方」typically appears in もんだい1, where you choose the correct reading, and もんだい2, where you choose the correct kanji for a hiragana word. Make sure you can recognize it both ways.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How do you read the kanji 「方」?+
On-yomi: ホウ. Kun-yomi: かた.
What does 「方」mean in Japanese?+
「方」means "Direction, way, person (honorific)". It is a JLPT N5 kanji — one of the most essential characters for beginners.
How many strokes does 「方」have?+
「方」is written with 4 strokes.
Is 「方」on the JLPT N5?+
Yes, 「方」is an official JLPT N5 kanji. Knowing all ~110 N5 kanji is essential for passing the exam.
Can you give an example sentence using 「方」?+
Yes: 方法. Practicing kanji in context is one of the most effective ways to remember them.

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