Definition
平方 means 'square' in mathematics (e.g., square root) and as a classifier forms area units like 平方米 (square meter). It contrasts with 立方 (lì fāng), which is for cubic/volume units (e.g., 立方米). As a noun, 平方 is the second power; 方 (fāng) as an adjective means square-shaped but is not used for area units.
noun
square (in mathematics, e.g. square root, square number)
classifier
used with units of length to form square units of area (e.g. 平方米, 平方千米)
Easily confused
- 平房píng fángsound-alikebungalow; single-story house
Examples
- 平方。Sì de píng fāng shì shíliù.The square of four is sixteen.
- 。Zhège fángjiān de miànjī shì yìbǎi píng fāng mǐ.The area of this room is one hundred square meters.
- ？Jiǔ de píng fāng gēn shì jǐ?What is the square root of nine?
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