～よう

• Reading: よう
• Romaji: you
• Formation: Verb masu-stem + よう

Meaning

A noun-forming suffix meaning 'a way of doing something' or 'a manner,' used to describe how something is done or the method by which an action is performed.

よう as a noun-forming suffix attaches to the verb stem (masu-stem) to create a noun meaning 'way of ~ing' or 'manner of ~ing.' Common examples include 言いよう (way of saying), 考えよう (way of thinking), and やりよう (way of doing). This よう is distinct from the auxiliary よう meaning 'let's' or 'it seems.' The resulting noun often appears in phrases like ～ようがない (there is no way to ~) or ～ようによっては (depending on how you ~). It is productive with many verbs and frequently used in evaluative or reflective statements about methods and approaches.

Examples

1. 言いようによっては誤解されることもある。 Depending on how you say it, you can be misunderstood.
2. この機械は使いようで結果が大きく変わる。 The results change greatly depending on how you use this machine.
3. 考えようによっては、失敗も良い経験だ。 Depending on how you look at it, failure is also a good experience.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: reflective

Do Say

• もう少し言いようがあったんじゃないかな。
• 食べようによっては体に悪いこともある。
• やりようはいくらでもあるはずだ。

Don't Say

• 走るようによっては疲れる。(Using dictionary form instead of masu-stem — よう attaches to the masu-stem: 走りよう, not 走るよう) → 走りようによっては疲れる。
• 読むようがない。(Using dictionary form instead of masu-stem — the correct form is 読みようがない) → 読みようがない。

Origin & History

よう derives from the noun 様 (you), meaning 'appearance' or 'manner.' When attached to verb stems, it creates compound nouns expressing the method or style of performing an action.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal