方

fāng

丿 + 亠 + 𠃌

HSK 2.0Level 5

HSK 3.0Level 5

Definitions

fāng (noun) square; direction; side

fāng (noun) method; way

Etymology

Depicts the cutting edge (一) of a knife blade (刀). Similar in origin to 亡. Based on the original meaning "cutting edge". The meaning later expanded to "perimeter", "area", and "square".

About

方 originally depicted the cutting edge (一) of a knife blade (刀), a pictograph related to 亡, though this is no longer apparent in the modern character. From the core idea of a cutting edge, the meaning extended to "perimeter" and "area", then to "square". This led to senses of spatial direction and orientation, as well as abstract notions like methods, strategies, prescriptions, and geographic regions. It is widely used in mathematics for powers and square roots and also serves as a common surname.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这样很方便。

Zhè yàng hěn fāngbiàn.

This way is very convenient.

你知道方向吗？

Nǐ zhīdào fāngxiàng ma?

Do you know the direction?

他在学习方面很努力。

Tā zài xuéxí fāngmiàn hěn nǔlì.

He works hard in terms of studying.

我们应该多方面考虑。

Wǒmen yīnggāi duō fāngmiàn kǎolǜ.

We should consider from multiple aspects.

这个方案需要修改。

Zhège fāng'àn xūyào xiūgǎi.

This plan needs to be revised.

他的行为方式很独特。

Tā de xíngwéi fāngshì hěn dútè.

His behavior style is very unique.

从多方面来看，这个问题很复杂。

Cóng duō fāngmiàn lái kàn, zhège wèntí hěn fùzá.

From multiple aspects, this problem is very complex.

在制定方案时，必须考虑所有相关方面。

Zài zhìdìng fāng'àn shí, bìxū kǎolǜ suǒyǒu xiāngguān fāngmiàn.

When formulating a plan, all relevant aspects must be considered.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 丿

Component: 亠

Component: 𠃌

Example Words