方 /fāng/ – primary meaning is SQUARE
SQUARE is a practical shape – probably that’s why 方便 /fāngbiàn/ means PRACTICAL, CONVENIENT
We use a SQUARE to determine A PLACE 地方 /dìfang/
Different PLACES have different STYLES (of living): STYLE 方式 /fāngshì/
STYLE is a sum of METHODS, METHOD is 方法 /fāngfǎ/
NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, WEST – these words are also built with 方 /fāng/…
TEST WHAT YOU KNOW
Pick the right character(s) for WEST
方法
fāngfǎ
METHOD
方面
fāngmiàn
ASPECT
西方
xīfāng
WEST
南方
nánfāng
SOUTH
Pinyin
汉字
LEARN NEW
PLACE
PLACE
地方
dìfang
dìfang
The restaurant is a place where we eat.
饭馆 是 吃饭 的 地方。
Fànguǎn shì chīfàn de dìfāng.
The library is a place where we borrow books.
图书馆 是 借书 的 地方。
Túshū guǎn shì jiè shū de dìfang.
The tearoom is a place where we drink tea.
茶馆 是 喝茶 的 地方。
Cháguǎn shì hē chá de dìfāng.
There still are some places that are quite safe.
还 有 一些 比较 安全 的 地方。
Hái yǒu yīxiē bǐjiào ānquán de dìfāng.
It is too crowded here, we better go to another place.
这里 太 热闹，我们 还是 去 别的 地方 吧！
Zhèli tài rènào, wǒmen háishì qù bié dì dìfāng ba!
Let's go somewhere else.
我们 去 别的 地方 吧！
Wǒmen qù biéde dìfang ba!
METHOD / STYLE
METHOD
方法
fāngfǎ
fāngfǎ
STYLE
方式
fāngshì
fāngshì
Trains are likely the most efficient mode of travel.
Life-style in Europe and Asia is different.
欧洲 和 亚洲 的 生活 方式 不一样。
Ōuzhōu hé Yāzhōu de shēnghuó fāngshì bù yīyàng.
This is the most efficient method.
这个 是 最 有效 的 方法。
Zhège shì zuì yǒuxiào de fāngfǎ.
CONVENIENT
(to be) CONVENIENT
方便
fāngbiàn
fāngbiàn
What is the most convenient way to get there?
Alipay is very convenient. You don't need to carry a wallet when you leave home.
支付宝 非常 方便。出门 时 不用 带 钱包。
Zhīfùbǎo fēicháng fāngbiàn. Chūmén shí bù yòng dài qiánbāo.
Is tomorrow good for you?
It is more convenient to go by subway than by bus.
It is the most convenient (way) to take the subway.
Tomorrow doesn’t work for me.
ASPECT
ASPECT
方面
fāngmiàn
fāngmiàn
We will consider other aspects.
我们 还 要 考虑 其他 方面。
Wǒmen hái yào kǎolǜ qítā fāngmiàn.
NORTH-SOUTH...
NORTH
北方
běifāng
běifāng
SOUTH
南方
nánfāng
nánfāng
EAST
东方
dōngfāng
dōngfāng
WEST
西方
xīfāng
xīfāng
This is a bit complicated for the men from the south.
这个 对 南方 的 男人 有点 难。
Zhège duì nánfāng de nánrén yǒudiǎn nán.
I got used to the northern climate.
我 习惯 了 北方 的 气候。
Wǒ xíguàn le běifāng de qìhòu.
ORIENTATION
DIRECTION
方向
fāngxiàng
fāngxiàng
Excuse me, (in) which direction is Ximen?
请问 西门 是 什么 方向？
Qǐngwèn Xīmén shì shénme fāngxiàng?