aspect; respect; side; field
HSK level
方面 is written with 13 strokes (方: 4, 面: 9). The animation replays automatically.
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 在……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
Memory hook: 方 (direction) + 面 (surface) = a 'directional surface' — one side or aspect of something.
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
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