Japanese word

仕方

Pronunciation

Romajishikata

Meaning

  • nounway

Example

料理の仕方を習います。ryō ri no shi kata o nara i ma su

I learn how to cook.

Illustration for 仕方 (way)

More examples

先生に掃除の仕方を教わります。sen sei ni sō ji no shi kata o oso wa ri ma su

I learn the way to clean from my teacher.

兄に仕事の仕方を聞きます。ani ni shi goto no shi kata o ki ki ma su

I ask my older brother how to do the job.

Core concept

Focuses on how an action is carried out, from its general approach to its practical steps.

Common phrases

  • 勉強の仕方ben kyō no shi kata

    way of studying

Similar words

方法hōhō: A method used to carry out a task or achieve a result.
やり方yarikata: A practical way to do a particular task or activity.
手段shudan: A means used to achieve a specific goal.

Definition in Japanese

物事を行う際の手順や方法。mono goto o okona u sai no te jun ya hō hō

Word origin

仕方 (shikata, "way of doing") is formed from 仕 (shi, "doing") and 方 (kata, "way"), giving the sense of a way to do something.

Usage tips

  • In everyday speech, 仕方ない (shikata nai) is a shortened form of 仕方がない (shikata ga nai) and expresses that nothing can be done about a matter.

Other meanings

  • methodnoun

Word lists with this word