四方 (sì fāng) — four directions; all sides; square (shape); four-sided
Definition
A literary, written-style word meaning 'all four directions / all sides' (四方意见, 四方来客). As a shape, it means 'square'; contrast with the more common 方 used in compounds.
noun
four directionsall sidessquare (shape)four-sided
Measure word · 个
Examples
- 四方。Cóng sì fāng lái le hěn duō kè rén.Many guests came from all directions.
- 四方。Zhè ge zhuō zi de zhuō miàn shì sì fāng de.The tabletop of this table is square.
- 四方。Wǒ men yào tīng tīng sì fāng de yì jiàn.We need to listen to opinions from all sides.
Origin
Compound word构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head
The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.
四 gives the number four and 方 refers to directions or sides, together meaning all four directions or a four-sided shape.
Appears in
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