Difference between revisions of "Comparing "banfa" and "fangfa""

 
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Both 办法 (bànfǎ) and 方法 (fāngfǎ) can mean "a way to do something".
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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''.
  
Sometimes 办法 and 方法 can be used interchangeably, each with slightly different meanings and contexts.
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{{SimilarWordsCol1|办法|bànfǎ|emphasizes a solution|noun|informal}}
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{{SimilarWordsCol2|方法|fāngfǎ|emphasizes a method|noun|flexible}}
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{{SimilarWordsPageInfo|B1|HSK4|ASV4567}}
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{{2021-HSK|HSK3}}
  
<table class="table table-bordered table-striped">
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== For a solution to a problem use 办法 (bànfǎ) ==
<tr>
 
<th style="width:24%"> </th>
 
<th style="width:33%"> 办法 (bànfǎ)</th>
 
<th style="width:33%"> 方法 (fāngfǎ)</th>
 
</tr>
 
<tr>
 
<th>Meaning</th><td>a solution</td><td class="liju">a method</td>
 
</tr>
 
<tr>
 
<th>Part of Speech</th><td>noun</td><td class="liju">noun</td>
 
</tr>
 
<tr>
 
<th>Formality</th><td>informal</td><td class="liju">formal and informal</td>
 
</tr>
 
</table>
 
  
The key difference between these words is 办法 emphasizes a '''solution''' (a way to solve an issue or problem), whereas 方法 emphasizes a '''method''' (a detailed plan with clear steps to do something).
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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.
 
 
== Similarities ==
 
  
 
=== Common Phrases ===
 
=== Common Phrases ===
 
The following phrases work with '''both''' 办法 and 方法, although the meaning is slightly different.
 
 
好~
 
  
 
<div class="liju dapei">
 
<div class="liju dapei">
 +
* 有 <em>办法</em> <span class="pinyin">yǒu <em> bànfǎ </em></span><span class="trans"> there is a solution to a problem </span>
 +
* 没 <em>办法</em> <span class="pinyin">méi <em> bànfǎ </em></span><span class="trans"> nothing can be done; there is no solution</span>
 
* 好 <em>办法</em> <span class="pinyin">hǎo <em>bànfǎ</em> </span><span class="trans">a good solution</span>
 
* 好 <em>办法</em> <span class="pinyin">hǎo <em>bànfǎ</em> </span><span class="trans">a good solution</span>
* <em>方法</em> <span class="pinyin">hǎo <em>fāngfǎ</em> </span><span class="trans">a good method</span>
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* <em>办法</em> <span class="pinyin">xiǎng <em>bànfǎ</em> </span><span class="trans">to think of a solution</span>
 +
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
想~
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=== Example Sentences ===
  
<div class="liju dapei">
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有办法 is often used to show there ''is'' a solution to solve a problem.
* 想 <em>办法</em> <span class="pinyin">xiǎng <em>bànfǎ</em> </span><span class="trans">think of a solution</span>
 
* 想 <em>方法</em> <span class="pinyin">xiǎng <em>fāngfǎ</em> </span><span class="trans">think of a plan</span>
 
</div>
 
  
各种~
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<div class="liju">
 
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* 他 <strong>有</strong> <em>办法</em>! <span class="pinyin">Tā <strong>yǒu</strong> <em>bànfǎ</em>!</span><span class="trans">He has a solution!</span>
<div class="liju dapei">
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* 你 <strong>有</strong> 什么 <em>办法</em> <span class="pinyin">Nǐ <strong>yǒu</strong> shénme <em>bànfǎ</em>?</span><span class="trans">What solution do you have?</span>
* 各种 <em>办法</em> <span class="pinyin">gè zhǒng <em>bànfǎ</em> </span><span class="trans">all kinds of solutions</span>
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* 我 <strong>有</strong> <em>办法</em> 了!我 告诉 你 怎么 做。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ <strong>yǒu</strong> <em>bànfǎ</em> le! Wǒ gàosu nǐ zěnme zuò.</span><span class="trans">I have an idea! I'll tell you what to do.</span>
* 各种 <em>方法</em> <span class="pinyin">gè zhǒng <em>fāngfǎ</em> </span><span class="trans">all kinds of plans</span>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
一种~
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没办法 is often used to show there is no solution to a problem.
  
<div class="liju dapei">
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<div class="liju">
* 一种 <em>办法</em> <span class="pinyin">yī zhǒng <em>bànfǎ</em> </span><span class="trans">one way of solving something </span>
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* <strong>没</strong> <em>办法</em><span class="pinyin"><strong>Méi</strong> <em>bànfǎ</em>!</span><span class="trans">There's nothing we can do!</span>
* 一种 <em>方法</em> <span class="pinyin">yī zhǒng <em>fāngfǎ</em> </span><span class="trans">one way of doing something </span>
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* 对不起 , 我 <strong>没</strong> <em>办法</em> 帮 你。 <span class="pinyin">Duìbuqǐ, wǒ <strong>méi</strong> <em>bànfǎ</em> bāng nǐ.</span><span class="trans">Sorry, there is no way I can help you.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
解决问题的~
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好办法 is often used to identify a good solution.
  
<div class="liju dapei">
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<div class="liju">
* 解决问题的 <em>办法</em> <span class="pinyin">jiějué wèntí de <em>bànfǎ</em> </span><span class="trans">the way of solving a problem </span>
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* 这 是 一 个 <strong>好</strong> <em>办法</em> <span class="pinyin">Zhè shì yī gè <strong>hǎo</strong> <em>bànfǎ</em>.</span><span class="trans">This is a good solution.</span>
* 解决问题的 <em>方法</em> <span class="pinyin">jiějué wèntí de <em>fāngfǎ</em> </span><span class="trans">the plan of solving a problem </span>
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* 这 不 是 一 个 <strong>好</strong> <em>办法</em> ,我 不 想 用。 <span class="pinyin">Zhè bù shì yī gè <strong>hǎo</strong> <em>bànfǎ</em>, wǒ bù xiǎng yòng.</span><span class="trans">It's not a good idea, I don't want to use it.</span>
 +
* 你 有 什么 <strong>好</strong> <em>办法</em> 吗? <span class="pinyin">Nǐ yǒu shénme <strong>hǎo</strong> <em>bànfǎ</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">Do you have any good ideas?</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Example Sentences ===
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想办法 is often used to describe the need to think of a solution to a problem.
 
 
In the following sentences, '''both''' 办法 and 方法 can be used interchangeably.
 
 
 
* Using 办法 the sentences emphasize “a solution”, using 方法 the sentences emphasize “a plan”.
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*  
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* 他 给 你 <strong>想</strong> 了 很 多 <em>办法</em>。 <span class="pinyin">Tā gěi nǐ xiǎng le hěn duō <em> bànfǎ </em>.</span><span class="trans">He has a lot of ideas for you.</span>
*
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* 你 快 点 <strong>想</strong> <em>办法</em> 解决 这个 问题。 <span class="pinyin">Nǐ kuài diǎn xiǎng <em> bànfǎ </em> jiějué zhège wèntí.</span><span class="trans">You need to figure out how to solve this problem.</span>
*
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* 他 <strong>想</strong> 了 很 多 <em>办法</em>,但是 都 不 好。 <span class="pinyin">Tā xiǎng le hěn duō <em> bànfǎ </em>, dànshì dōu bù hǎo.</span><span class="trans">He has thought of a lot of solutions, but they are not good.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Differences ==
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== 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 ===
 
=== Common Phrases ===
  
These phrases are most commonly used with 办法 in informal Chinese:
+
<div class="liju dapei">
  
没办法
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* 好 <em>方法</em> <span class="pinyin">hǎo <em>fāngfǎ</em> </span><span class="trans">a good method</span>
 +
* 各种 <em>方法</em> <span class="pinyin">gè zhǒng <em>fāngfǎ</em> </span><span class="trans">all kinds of methods</span>
 +
* 解决 问题 的 <em>方法</em> <span class="pinyin">jiějué wèntí de <em>fāngfǎ</em> </span><span class="trans">the method of solving the problem </span>
  
<div class="liju">
 
* 没办法 <span class="pinyin">méi bànfǎ </span><span class="trans">nothing can be done to solve a problem </span>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
有办法
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=== 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).
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* 有办法<span class="pinyin">yǒu bànfǎ </span><span class="trans">there is a way to solve a problem </span>
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* 这 是 一个 <strong>好</strong> <em>方法</em>。 <span class="pinyin">Zhè shì yī gè <strong>hǎo</strong> <em> fāngfǎ </em>.</span><span class="trans">This is a good method to use.</span>
 +
* <strong>各种</strong> <em>方法</em> 我 都 用 了,但是 我 还是 打 不开 我的 手机。 <span class="pinyin"><strong>Gè zhǒng</strong> <em> fāngfǎ </em> wǒ dōu yòng le, dànshì wǒ háishì dǎ bù kāi wǒ de shǒujī.</span><span class="trans">I've tried everything, but I still can't get into my phone.</span>
 +
* 我们 还 没有 找到 解决 问题 的 <em>方法</em>。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒmen hái méiyǒu zhǎodào jiějué wèntí de <em> fāngfǎ </em>.</span><span class="trans">We still haven't found a method of solving the problem.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Example Sentences ===
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== To describe an academic or step-by-step methodology to gain knowledge use 方法 (fāngfǎ) ==
 
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Only 办法 can be used in the following sentences:
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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.
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
*
 
*
 
*
 
</div>
 
  
 
=== Common Phrases ===
 
=== Common Phrases ===
  
These phrases are most commonly used with 方法 in formal and informal Chinese:
+
<div class="liju dapei">
 
+
* 学习 <em>方法</em> <span class="pinyin">xuéxí <em> fāngfǎ </em></span><span class="trans"> study method </span>
    学习~, 科学~, 教学~, 看问题的~
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* 教学 <em>方法</em> <span class="pinyin">jiàoxué <em> fāngfǎ </em></span><span class="trans"> teaching method </span>
 +
* 使用 <em>方法</em> <span class="pinyin">shǐyòng <em> fāngfǎ </em></span><span class="trans"> method of use </span>
 +
</div>
  
 
=== Example Sentences ===  
 
=== Example Sentences ===  
  
Only 方法 can be used in the following 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.
 
+
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*
+
* 你 的 <strong>学习</strong> <em>方法</em> 很好。 <span class="pinyin">Nǐ de <strong>xuéxí</strong> <em>fāngfǎ</em> hěn hǎo.</span><span class="trans">Your study method is good.</span>
*  
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* 我们 会 找到 <strong>解决</strong> <em>方法</em>。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒmen huì zhǎodào <strong>jiějué</strong> <em>fāngfǎ</em>.</span><span class="trans">We will find a solution.</span>
 +
* 看 了 这 本 书,我 知道 了 很多 <strong>教学</strong> <em>方法</em>。 <span class="pinyin">Kàn le zhè běn shū, wǒ zhīdào le hěn duō <strong>jiàoxué</strong> <em>fāngfǎ</em>.</span><span class="trans">I learned a lot of teaching methods from reading this book.</span>
 +
* 我 喜欢 这个 老师,因为 她 的 <strong>教学</strong> <em>方法</em> 对 我 很 有 帮助。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ xǐhuan zhège lǎoshī, yīnwèi tā de <strong>jiàoxué</strong> <em>fāngfǎ</em> duì wǒ hěn yǒu bāngzhù.</span><span class="trans">I like this teacher because her teaching methods are very helpful to me.</span>
 +
* 你 觉得 节食 和 运动 一起 的 <strong>减肥</strong> <em>方法</em> 好 吗? <span class="pinyin">Nǐ juéde jiéshí hé yùndòng yīqǐ de <strong>jiǎnféi</strong> <em>fāngfǎ</em> hǎo ma?</span><span class="trans">Do you think diet and exercise together is a good way to lose weight?</span>
 +
* 我 看 了 这个 APP 的 <strong>使用</strong> <em>方法</em>,但是 我 还是 不 知道 怎么 做。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ kàn le zhège APP de <strong>shǐyòng</strong> <em>fāngfǎ</em>, dànshì wǒ háishì bù zhīdào zěnme zuò.</span><span class="trans">I read how to use this app, but I still don't know how to do it.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>

Latest revision as of 05:06, 23 June 2022

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.











B1HSK4ASV4567
办法 (bànfǎ) 方法 (fāngfǎ)
Meaning emphasizes a solution emphasizes a method
Part of Speech noun noun
Formality informal flexible

For a solution to a problem use 办法 (bànfǎ)

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

  • 办法 yǒu bànfǎ there is a solution to a problem
  • 办法 méi bànfǎ nothing can be done; there is no solution
  • 办法 hǎo bànfǎ a good solution
  • 办法 xiǎng bànfǎ to think of a solution

Example Sentences

有办法 is often used to show there is a solution to solve a problem.

  • 办法yǒu bànfǎ!He has a solution!
  • 什么 办法yǒu shénme bànfǎ?What solution do you have?
  • 办法 了!我 告诉 你 怎么 做。 yǒu bànfǎ le! Wǒ gàosu nǐ zěnme zuò.I have an idea! I'll tell you what to do.

没办法 is often used to show there is no solution to a problem.

  • 办法Méi bànfǎ!There's nothing we can do!
  • 对不起 , 我 办法 帮 你。 Duìbuqǐ, wǒ méi bànfǎ bāng nǐ.Sorry, there is no way I can help you.

好办法 is often used to identify a good solution.

  • 这 是 一 个 办法Zhè shì yī gè hǎo bànfǎ.This is a good solution.
  • 这 不 是 一 个 办法 ,我 不 想 用。 Zhè bù shì yī gè hǎo bànfǎ, wǒ bù xiǎng yòng.It's not a good idea, I don't want to use it.
  • 你 有 什么 办法 吗? Nǐ yǒu shénme hǎo bànfǎ ma?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 了 很 多 办法Tā gěi nǐ xiǎng le hěn duō bànfǎ .He has a lot of ideas for you.
  • 你 快 点 办法 解决 这个 问题。 Nǐ kuài diǎn xiǎng bànfǎ jiějué zhège wèntí.You need to figure out how to solve this problem.
  • 了 很 多 办法,但是 都 不 好。 Tā xiǎng le hěn duō bànfǎ , dànshì dōu bù hǎo.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

  • 方法 hǎo fāngfǎ a good method
  • 各种 方法 gè zhǒng fāngfǎ all kinds of methods
  • 解决 问题 的 方法 jiějué wèntí de fāngfǎ the method of solving the 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 方法Zhè shì yī gè hǎo fāngfǎ .This is a good method to use.
  • 各种 方法 我 都 用 了,但是 我 还是 打 不开 我的 手机。 Gè zhǒng fāngfǎ wǒ dōu yòng le, dànshì wǒ háishì dǎ bù kāi wǒ de shǒujī.I've tried everything, but I still can't get into my phone.
  • 我们 还 没有 找到 解决 问题 的 方法Wǒmen hái méiyǒu zhǎodào jiějué wèntí de fāngfǎ .We still haven't found a method of solving the problem.

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 xuéxí fāngfǎ study method
  • 教学 方法 jiàoxué fāngfǎ teaching method
  • 使用 方法 shǐyòng fāngfǎ 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。 Nǐ de xuéxí fāngfǎ hěn hǎo.Your study method is good.
  • 我们 会 找到 解决 方法Wǒmen huì zhǎodào jiějué fāngfǎ.We will find a solution.
  • 看 了 这 本 书,我 知道 了 很多 教学 方法Kàn le zhè běn shū, wǒ zhīdào le hěn duō jiàoxué fāngfǎ.I learned a lot of teaching methods from reading this book.
  • 我 喜欢 这个 老师,因为 她 的 教学 方法 对 我 很 有 帮助。 Wǒ xǐhuan zhège lǎoshī, yīnwèi tā de jiàoxué fāngfǎ duì wǒ hěn yǒu bāngzhù.I like this teacher because her teaching methods are very helpful to me.
  • 你 觉得 节食 和 运动 一起 的 减肥 方法 好 吗? Nǐ juéde jiéshí hé yùndòng yīqǐ de jiǎnféi fāngfǎ hǎo ma?Do you think diet and exercise together is a good way to lose weight?
  • 我 看 了 这个 APP 的 使用 方法,但是 我 还是 不 知道 怎么 做。 Wǒ kàn le zhège APP de shǐyòng fāngfǎ, dànshì wǒ háishì bù zhīdào zěnme zuò.I read how to use this app, but I still don't know how to do it.