～かた (Way of)
Meaning
Expresses the way or method of doing an action.
Equivalent to "how to ___" or "the way of ___-ing."
How to Form
| Verb Type | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ichidan (る) | い-stem (Remove る) + かた | 食べる → 食べかた → way of eating |
| Godan (う) | い-stem + かた | 飲む → 飲みかた → way of drinking |
Examples
-
この漢字の書きかたを教えてください。
Please teach me how to write this kanji. -
この電子辞書の使いかたがわかりません。
I don’t understand how to use this electronic dictionary. -
この料理の作りかたは簡単です。
The way to make this dish is easy.
Notes
- Often used in instructional contexts or manuals.
- Can be combined with other grammatical forms for nuance (e.g., ～かたがわかる — know how to do).
- Closely related to ～方 (alternative kanji), which is commonly used in formal writing.