方how to; the way of doing
方 on a verb makes a noun: how to do something, or the way someone does it. 読み方 is how to read a word, 使い方 how to use a thing.
Please tell me how to read this kanji.
How to form it
Verb ます-stem + 方
読みます → 読み方, 食べます → 食べ方. Not the dictionary form. The thing you read or eat takes の, not を: 漢字の読み方.
With する
Noun + の + 仕方
予約する → 予約の仕方.
Asking how to do something
This is where you'll need it first: with を教えてください, がわかりません or を知っていますか. It is also the title on recipes, manuals and station signs: 作り方, 使い方, 切符の買い方.
Do you know how to eat this fish?
I am practicing how to use chopsticks.
The teacher explained how to write kanji.
を becomes の
使い方 is a noun, so the thing you use joins it with の. English keeps a verb in "how to use the camera", which is why を slips in.
Not said: カメラを
(I don't know how to use the camera.)
I don't know how to use the camera.
A place you are heading for takes への or までの, since に can't stand before の.
Please tell me how to get to Tokyo Station.
する becomes 仕方
The noun in front of する takes の: 勉強の仕方, how to study. For plain "how to do it", people say やり方.
I don't know how to make a reservation online.
Excuse me, I don't know how to do it.
The way someone does it
It isn't only for instructions. With a person in front, it is their manner: the way they talk, walk or teach.
I like the way that person talks.
方 can also be a person
As a word of its own, 方 is a polite word for "person".
Who is that person over there?
Close neighbours
たほうがいいN5
Often written た方がいい. Here the same kanji is read ほう, and the sentence is advice: it is better to do it.
If you have a fever, you should go to bed early today.
のほうがN5
ほう again, often written の方が. It marks the one of two that is faster, cheaper or better.
The Shinkansen is faster than the bus.
A question in place of the noun: how should I do it? 方 names the way, and this asks for it.
How should I open this file?
Check yourself
1Which particle?
この
Choose an answer to see why.
2"Please tell me how to make this dish."
この
Choose an answer to see why.
More detail
The right way, an easy way
Since it is a noun, a describing word goes in front: 正しい使い方, the right way to use it; 簡単な作り方, an easy way to make it.
仕方がない
仕方がない, "it can't be helped", is the same 仕方: there is no way to do anything about it. しょうがない means the same and is more casual.
It's raining today, so it can't be helped.
More sentences
I looked up how to get to the station on my phone.
I'll explain how to make copies.
I'm lost. Could you tell me how to get to the station?
Is this the correct way to write this name?
I learned how to make curry from my mother.