direction · method

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 方 has 4 strokes and is read かた or ほう; 方法 is read ほうほう.
• Basic usage: 方 can refer politely to a person or indicate a direction; 方法 means a way of doing something.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Readings for a person and a direction
  • In 受付に立っている方, 方 is read かた and refers politely to the person standing at reception. In 海の方から, it is read ほう and indicates the direction of the sea.
  • 別の方法を試した means trying another method.