方法
fāngfǎ · HSK 2
way
🧭 方 (square/direction) + 法 (law/method) = a set direction-and-rule, i.e. a method
方 originally meant a square or fixed direction; 法 means law or standard. Together they name a settled way of doing something — a system, plan, or know-how. Common in 办法 (solution) and 方法论 (methodology).
方 — pictograph of a plow or two boats joined side by side
方 originated as a pictograph, traditionally interpreted as a plow handle or two boats lashed together. From the idea of paired boats it extended to mean 'side by side,' then 'square,' 'direction,' and 'region.' It was later borrowed for the abstract sense of 'method' or 'way.'
法 — water 氵 + go 去
Originally written 灋, combining the water radical 氵 (suggesting a level standard, like water finding its level), the mythical beast 廌 (which judged guilt), and 去 (to remove or banish). The 廌 was later dropped, leaving 法. The core meaning evolved from 'law' or 'standard' to also include 'method' and 'way of doing'.