Comparing "banfa" and "fangfa"

Both 办法 (bànfǎ) and 方法 (fāngfǎ) mean "a way to do something", but are sometimes used in different contexts and convey different meanings.

	办法 (bànfǎ)	方法 (fāngfǎ)
Meaning	a solution (a way to solve an issue or problem)	a method (a detailed plan with clear steps to do something)
Part of Speech	noun	noun
Formality	informal	formal and informal

Similarities

Common Phrases

The following phrases work with BOTH 办法 and 方法 (although the meaning is slightly different).

• 好～：好办法 (a good solution) vs. 好方法 (a good plan)
• 想～：想办法（think of a solution) vs. 想方法 (think of a plan)
• 各种～：各种办法（all kinds of solutions) vs. 各种方法（all kinds of plans)
• 一种～：一种办法 (one way of solving something) vs. 一种方法 (one way of doing something)
• 解决问题的～：解决问题的办法 (the way of solving a problem) vs. 解决问题的方法 (the plan of solving a problem)

Example Sentences

In the following sentences, 办法 and 方法 BOTH can be used interchangeably（using 办法 the sentences emphasize “a solution”, using 方法 the sentences emphasize “a plan”):

Differences

Common Phrases

These phrases are most commonly used with 办法： 没有～, 有～

Example Sentences

Only 办法 can be used in the following sentences:

Common Phrases

These phrases are most commonly used with 方法： 学习～, 科学～, 教学～, 看问题的～

Example Sentences

Only 方法 can be used in the following sentences: