What does 方 mean in Chinese?

方 (fāng) means "square; power or involution (mathematics); upright; honest; fair and square; direction; side; party (to a contract, dispute etc); place; method; prescription (medicine); just when; only or just; classifier for square things; abbr. for square or cubic meter" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 5.

How do you pronounce 方?

方 is pronounced "fāng" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 1.

What HSK level is 方?

方 is an HSK 5 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 5 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 方?

Common words with 方 include 一方面 (on the one hand), 一方 (a party (in a contract or legal case)), 七方 ((Chinese medicine) the seven kinds of prescriptions 大方, 小方, 缓方, 急方, 奇方, 偶方 and 重方 or 复方), 下方 (underneath), 中方 (the Chinese side (in an international venture)).

How do you write 方?

方 has 4 strokes. Its radical is 方. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

方 (fāng), square

方

fāng

square; power or involution (mathematics); upright; honest

HSK 5classifier4 strokes

Character Breakdown

A boat with a sail — a direction, a method

Radical: 方 (no. 70)Strokes: 4

View stroke order →

Definitions

(classifier) square
power or involution (mathematics)
upright
honest
fair and square
direction
side
party (to a contract, dispute etc)
place
method
prescription (medicine)
just when
only or just
classifier for square things
abbr. for square or cubic meter

Example Sentences

这是什么地方？

Zhè shì shénme dìfāng

What place is this?

Words Containing 方

Word	Pinyin	Meaning
一方面	yī fāng miàn	on the one hand
一方	yī fāng	a party (in a contract or legal case)
七方	qī fāng	(Chinese medicine) the seven kinds of prescriptions 大方, 小方, 缓方, 急方, 奇方, 偶方 and 重方 or 复方
下方	xià fāng	underneath
中方	Zhōng fāng	the Chinese side (in an international venture)

Related Words

规矩(guī ju)· lit. compass and set square

→

平方米(píng fāng mǐ)· square meter

→

乘幂(chéng mì)· the power of a number (square, cube etc)

→

堂堂正正(táng táng zhèng zhèng)· displaying strength and discipline

→

Grammar Notes

More and More (越来越)HSK 2

Subject + 越来越 + Adjective/Verb + 了

Not Only...But AlsoHSK 3

Subject + 不但 + Clause 1，而且 + Clause 2

On One Hand (一方面...另一方面)HSK 4

一方面 + Aspect A, 另一方面 + Aspect B

Extremely (极了)HSK 4

Subject + Adjective + 极了

Unexpectedly (竟然)HSK 4

Subject + 竟然 + Verb/Adjective

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 5
HSK 2.0: HSK 5
HSK Lord study list: HSK 4 list

方: HSK 5 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 5 exam

Studying for HSK 5? Keep 方 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 5 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.