方式

• Reading: ほうしき
• Romaji: houshiki
• Kanji breakdown: 方 (hou) — direction, method, way; 式 (shiki) — style, ceremony, formula
• Pronunciation: /hoː.ɕi.ki/

Meaning

Form; method; system; formula. A structured way or established method of doing something.

A noun referring to a systematic method, format, or established way of carrying out something. More formal and structured than 方法 (houhou, method) — 方式 implies a defined system or standard procedure. Commonly used in technical and business contexts. Appears in compounds like 放送方式 (housou houshiki, broadcasting format), 支払い方式 (shiharai houshiki, payment method), and 入試方式 (nyuushi houshiki, entrance exam format).

Examples

1. 新しい方式を導入したことで作業効率が上がった。 Introducing a new system improved work efficiency.
2. この国ではどの放送方式が使われていますか。 Which broadcasting format is used in this country?
3. 従来の方式では対応できない問題が出てきた。 Problems have come up that the conventional method can't handle.

Usage Guide

Context: technology, business, academia

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 方 (hou, direction/method) + 式 (shiki, style/ceremony/formula). Literally 'method-style' — a defined format or systematic approach to something.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal