方 (fāng) - square & direction

方Tone 1

fāng ｜ 4 strokes ｜ radical: 方

恩丰

方 · fāng

square;

direction;

side;

region;

method;

prescription;

just now;

only then

squaredirectionside

Usage highlights

Square shapeDirectionMethodPrescriptionRegionSquare meter

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 圆— round (geometric shape)
  • 曲— curved

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The room is square (方形的).
  • Which direction are you going (方向)?
  • This is a prescription from the doctor (药方).
  • I just arrived (方才到).
  • He is from that region (地方).

Collocations

  • Square shape(方形)
  • Direction(方向)
  • Method(方法)
  • Prescription(药方)
  • Region(地方)
  • Square meter(平方米)

Idioms

  • Square and round(方枘圆凿)
  • From all directions(四面八方)
  • Upright and honest(方正不阿)
  • Teach by precept and example(教导有方)
  • A thousand li in a day(日行千里方)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Represents the earth in Chinese cosmology (天圆地方 - heaven round, earth square)
  • One of the most fundamental characters in Chinese philosophy and geometry
  • Used in traditional Chinese medicine for prescriptions and formulas

FAQ