<p>I haven't looked up in the dictionary, so my answer may not be accurate. Just for reference.<br>
方法 means the way that should be followed when doing something. Example: 使用方法 (the way to use something, like washing machine or ointment)<br>
办法 seems to be more colloquial, and mostly refers to the way to solve a problem or achieve a goal. Sometimes it is equivalent to 方法. Example: 我没办法吃这么多。(I can't make it to eat this much. )<br>
方式 refers to the "style" when doing something. However, it is not eqivalent to 样式. The latter refers to what a thing looks like. Example: 传统方式未必是落后的。(Traditional way(style) is not definitely out of date. ) And: 传统的样式是很好看的。(Traditional style is very beautiful. )<br>
Hope this will help you. ^o^</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-26T17:53:13.797Z
I would vote this up....if I had the reputation :(
Thanks though!! very helpful
God's Drunkest Driver
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-25T09:21:51.070Z
2016-01-25T09:21:51.070Z
Winfred Huang
<p>方法 refers to a method in the strict sense of a careful organized plan that controls the way something is done.  This is also  expressed by tiáolǐ 条理 --  you follow a known rule.</p>

<p>办法 means you somehow get the problem solved, but maybe not by any rule.  Maybe you make up a new, temporary solution, that no one else has ever tried, and you will never do again, but it works.   </p>

<p>Or maybe you have a problem and you do 方法 because you know a procedure that would solve it.  But you do not 办法 because you cannot find a practical way to follow the procedure.  "I know how to fix that broken door, but I cannot find the time to do it."</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-26T09:50:56.587Z
2016-01-26T09:50:56.587Z
Colin McLarty
<p>From what I know, they all mean similar things (way, method), but 方式 can also mean style which makes it similar to 样式. Is there a difference in the way they are used grammatically or is the difference mainly about preference?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-24T19:56:23.547Z
search this site for "办法，方法,方式" to find answers
user6065
<synonyms>
Difference between 办法， 方法， and 方式？
# Difference between 办法， 方法， and 方式？

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-01-24)

From what I know, they all mean similar things (way, method), but 方式 can also mean style which makes it similar to 样式. Is there a difference in the way they are used grammatically or is the difference mainly about preference?

**Tags:** synonyms

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: search this site for "办法，方法,方式" to find answers  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-01-25. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

I haven't looked up in the dictionary, so my answer may not be accurate. Just for reference.  
方法 means the way that should be followed when doing something. Example: 使用方法 (the way to use something, like washing machine or ointment)  
办法 seems to be more colloquial, and mostly refers to the way to solve a problem or achieve a goal. Sometimes it is equivalent to 方法. Example: 我没办法吃这么多。(I can't make it to eat this much. )  
方式 refers to the "style" when doing something. However, it is not eqivalent to 样式. The latter refers to what a thing looks like. Example: 传统方式未必是落后的。(Traditional way(style) is not definitely out of date. ) And: 传统的样式是很好看的。(Traditional style is very beautiful. )  
Hope this will help you. ^o^

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I would vote this up....if I had the reputation :( Thanks though!! very helpful  

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### Answer by username_3 on 2016-01-26. Score: 0

方法 refers to a method in the strict sense of a careful organized plan that controls the way something is done. This is also expressed by tiáolǐ 条理 -- you follow a known rule.

办法 means you somehow get the problem solved, but maybe not by any rule. Maybe you make up a new, temporary solution, that no one else has ever tried, and you will never do again, but it works.

Or maybe you have a problem and you do 方法 because you know a procedure that would solve it. But you do not 办法 because you cannot find a practical way to follow the procedure. "I know how to fix that broken door, but I cannot find the time to do it."


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