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HSK 4

方面

aspect; respect; side; field

nounneutral
fāng1st tone
miàn4th tone

HSK level

1
2
3
4
5
6
Pinyin
fāngmiàn
Part of speech
noun
Level
HSK 4
Strokes
13
Register
neutral
Measure word

Stroke order for 方面

方面 is written with 13 strokes (: 4, : 9). The animation replays automatically.

What does 方面 mean?

方面 (fāngmiàn) is a Chinese noun meaning 'aspect,' 'respect,' 'side,' or 'field' — one of the several facets into which a topic, problem, or situation can be divided.

It is register-neutral and extremely frequent in discussion, analysis, and writing (在...方面 = 'in the respect of...', 各方面 = 'every aspect'). English speakers should note that 方面 usually needs a preceding topic and often the frame ……方面: 'in terms of health' becomes 在健康方面.

It also names the 'sides' or 'parties' in a relationship or negotiation — 双方面 both sides, 一方面……另一方面 'on one hand... on the other hand.' Do not confuse it with 方法 (method): 方面 slices a subject into parts to talk about, whereas 方法 is a technique for doing something.

Character by character

fāngsquare; direction; side
+
miànface; surface; side
=
方面

Memory hook: 方 (direction) + 面 (surface) = a 'directional surface' — one side or aspect of something.

Example sentences

他在很多方面都很优秀。

Tā zài hěn duō fāngmiàn dōu hěn yōuxiù.

He is excellent in many respects.

neutral

一方面我想去,另一方面我又没时间。

Yì fāngmiàn wǒ xiǎng qù, lìng yì fāngmiàn wǒ yòu méi shíjiān.

On one hand I want to go, on the other I don't have time.

spoken

这份工作在收入方面很不错。

Zhè fèn gōngzuò zài shōurù fāngmiàn hěn búcuò.

This job is quite good in terms of income.

neutral

我们要从各方面考虑这个问题。

Wǒmen yào cóng gè fāngmiàn kǎolǜ zhège wèntí.

We must consider this problem from every aspect.

written

Common phrases with 方面

各方面gè fāngmiànevery aspect; all sides
一方面yì fāngmiànon one hand
另一方面lìng yì fāngmiànon the other hand
在这方面zài zhè fāngmiànin this respect

Synonyms

方向fāngxiàng

方向 is a direction you move toward (physical or figurative goal). 方面 is a facet you examine. 'Which aspect' = 哪方面; 'which direction' = 哪个方向.

Don't confuse 方面 with

方法fāngfǎ

方法 is a 'method' for accomplishing something; 方面 is an 'aspect' of a topic. Both share but answer different questions — how (方法) versus which part (方面).

面积miànjī

面积 means 'surface area' (a measurement). It shares with 方面 but is a physical size, not a facet of discussion.

FAQ

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