Comparing "banfa" and "fangfa"
Both 办法 (bànfǎ) and 方法 (fāngfǎ) are commonly used nouns that mean "a way to do something". 办法 (bànfǎ) is used in informal settings feels slightly more specific, whereas 方法 (fāngfǎ) is used in both informal and formal settings and feels a little more abstract. A key difference is that 办法 (bànfǎ) emphasizes a solution to a problem, while 方法 (fāngfǎ) emphasizes a method.
办法 (bànfǎ) | 方法 (fāngfǎ) | |
---|---|---|
Meaning | emphasizes a solution | emphasizes a method |
Part of Speech | noun | noun |
Formality | informal | flexible |
Contents
For a solution to a problem use 办法 (bànfǎ)
This one is pretty clear, 办法 (bànfǎ) means a solution, the specific way to solve an issue or problem. 办法 (bànfǎ) is often used in set phrases, commonly to show there is or is not a solution to a problem.
Common Phrases
- 有 办法 there is a way to solve a problem
- 没 办法 nothing can be done to solve a problem
- 好 办法 a good solution
- 想 办法 think of a solution
Example Sentences
有办法 is often used to show there is a solution to solve a problem.
- 他 有 办法! He has an idea!
- 你 有 什么 办法 ? What can you do?
- 我 有 办法 了!我 告诉 你 怎么 做。 I have an idea! I'll tell you what to do.
没办法 is often used to show there is no solution to solve a problem.
- 没 办法!
- 对不起,我 没 办法 帮 你。
好办法 is often used to identify a good solution.
- 这 是 一 个 好 办法。 This is a good solution.
- 这 不 是 一 个 好 办法,我 不 想 用。 It's not a good idea, I don't want to use it.
- 你 有 什么 好 办法 吗? Do you have any good ideas?
想办法 is often used to describe the need to think of a solution to a problem.
- 他 给 你 想 了 很多 办法。 He has a lot of ideas for you.
- 你 快 点 想 办法 解决 这个 问题。 You need to figure out how to solve this problem.
- 他 想 了 很多 办法,但是 都 不 好。 He has thought of a lot of solutions, but they are not good.
For a method to solve a problem use 方法 (fāngfǎ)
方法 (fāngfǎ) is often used in set phrases to show there is or is not a method to solve a problem. This may be more abstract in nature.
Common Phrases
- 好 方法 a good method
- 各种 方法 all kinds of methods
- 解决 问题 的 方法 the method of solving a problem
Example Sentences
To describe a situation in which you have a method to solve a problem or to evaluate a method’s effectiveness use 方法 (fāngfǎ).
- 这 是 一个 好 方法。
- 各种 方法 我 都 用 了,但是 我 还是 打不开 我的 手机。
- 我们 还 没有 找到 解决 问题 的 方法。
To describe an academic or step-by-step methodology to gain knowledge use 方法 (fāngfǎ)
方法 (fāngfǎ) can also be used to describe a method to understand something by means of study, because of a teaching style, or by using study/aid materials. This use is a bit different from other uses of 方法 (fāngfǎ) as it is not in direct relation to a problem.
Common Phrases
- 学习 方法 study method
- 教学 方法 teaching method
- 使用 方法 method of use
Example Sentences
Study methods, teaching methods, or methods for using/doing something all use 方法 (fāngfǎ). Note that many of these are going to naturally be quite abstract.
- 你 的 学习 方法 很好。
- 我们 会 找到 解决 方法。
- 看 了 这 本 书,我 知道 了 很多 学习 的 好 方法。
- 我 喜欢 这个 老师,因为 她 的 教学 方法 对 我 很 有 帮助。
- 你 觉得 节食 和 运动 一起 的 减肥 方法 好 吗?
- 我 看 了 这个 APP 的 使用 方法,但是 我 还是 不 知道 怎么 做。