Refers to the manner, style, or condition of something, often used in the phrase なりに meaning 'in one's own way' or 'as it is'. The word is usually written in kana.
風 (ふう) also means 'style' or 'way', but is more casual and often used in compounds like こんな風に (in this way).
Etymology
Derived from the classical Japanese verb なる (to become), originally meaning 'the way something has become'. The kanji 形 and 態 are applied for their meanings but are not commonly used for this reading.
