<p>「方」 originally meant <em>side, surroundings</em> > <em>surrounding area</em>. Before compass directions were invented, one of the ways to refer to a direction was through nearby landmarks or surrounding villages/states, and hence 「方」 also carries the meaning <em>direction</em>, now surviving in words like 「東方」, 「西方」, etc.</p>

<p>You can therefore treat 「方向」 as a word where both characters carry roughly the same meaning (as is common in Chinese).</p>

<hr>

<p><kbd><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shang_dynasty" rel="nofollow noreferrer">商</a><br><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oracle_bone_script" rel="nofollow noreferrer">甲</a><br><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/GKrQf.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/GKrQf.png" alt="enter image description here"></a><br><a href="http://xiaoxue.iis.sinica.edu.tw/yanbian/Reference/JiaguwenReference" rel="nofollow noreferrer">鐵</a>122.3<br><a href="http://www.guoxuedashi.com/jgwhj/?bhfl=1&amp;bh=8667&amp;jgwfl=" rel="nofollow noreferrer">合集8667</a></kbd><kbd><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Zhou" rel="nofollow noreferrer">西周</a><br><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_bronze_inscriptions" rel="nofollow noreferrer">金</a><br><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/yQ1zj.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/yQ1zj.png" alt="enter image description here"></a><br><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mao_Gong_ding" rel="nofollow noreferrer">毛公鼎</a><br><a href="http://www.guoxuedashi.com/yzjwjc/?bh=2841&amp;jgwfl=" rel="nofollow noreferrer">集成2841</a></kbd><kbd><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qin_dynasty" rel="nofollow noreferrer">秦</a><br><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo_and_wooden_slips" rel="nofollow noreferrer">簡</a><br><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/KlEpT.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/KlEpT.png" alt="enter image description here"></a><br>秦131<br><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuihudi_Qin_bamboo_texts" rel="nofollow noreferrer">睡虎地秦簡</a></kbd><kbd>今<br><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regular_script" rel="nofollow noreferrer">楷</a><br><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/szaZc.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/szaZc.png" alt="enter image description here"></a><br><br>　</kbd></p>

<p>「方」 (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconstructions_of_Old_Chinese#Baxter%E2%80%93Sagart_%282014%29" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Baxter-Sagart OC</a>: <strong>/*paŋ/</strong>) is a derivative of <a href="http://xiaoxue.iis.sinica.edu.tw/yanbian?kaiOrder=33" rel="nofollow noreferrer">「亡」</a> (<strong>/*maŋ/</strong>, <em>blade tip</em>, now written as 「鋩」). Both 「方」 and 「亡」 come from an additional mark drawn on <a href="http://xiaoxue.iis.sinica.edu.tw/yanbian?kaiOrder=14" rel="nofollow noreferrer">「刀」 (<em>picture of a knife/blade/weapon</em>)</a>. The meaning <em>side, surroundings</em> is either a phonetic loan (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebus#Rebus_principle" rel="nofollow noreferrer">rebus</a>) or semantic extension; 
 compare 「劃」, which uses a <em>knife</em> 「刀」 to <em>draw boundaries</em> 「畫」.</p>

<p>「方」 extensively appears in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shang_dynasty" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Shang Dynasty</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oracle_bone_script" rel="nofollow noreferrer">oracle bones</a> as part of state names surrounding the Shang state, and these state mentions serve as an invaluable record of Ancient Chinese interstate relations. Collectively, these states are called <a href="https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E6%96%B9%E5%9B%BD" rel="nofollow noreferrer">「方國」</a>.</p>

<hr>

<p><strong>References:</strong></p>

<ul>
<li>季旭昇《說文新證》</li>
<li><a href="http://xiaoxue.iis.sinica.edu.tw/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">小學堂</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.guoxuedashi.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">國學大師</a>

<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.guoxuedashi.com/jgwhj/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">郭沫若《甲骨文合集》</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.guoxuedashi.com/yzjwjc/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">中國社會科學院考古研究所《殷周金文集成》</a></li>
</ul></li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2017-12-25T08:56:40.243Z
2020-01-29T04:36:42.363Z
2020-01-29T04:36:42.363Z
dROOOze
<p>方 connotes side.  方, 方向 just  means direction. They are not a contraction of any longer phrase.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-25T02:39:46.617Z
2017-12-25T02:39:46.617Z
dan
<p>The second definition in <strong>规范</strong> says:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>2 名 目标所在的方位; 前进的目标</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Perhaps the word you're looking for is: <em>方位</em>.</p>

<p>方位 is defined in <a href="https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&amp;wdrst=1&amp;wdqb=%E6%96%B9%E4%BD%8D" rel="nofollow noreferrer">CC-CEDCIT</a> as:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>direction / points of the compass / bearing / position / azimuth</p>
</blockquote>

<p>and <strong>规范</strong> defines it as:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>名 物体在空间所处的方向或位置。如东､南､西､北､上､下､左､右､前､后等。</p>
</blockquote>

<p>I would opt to say it means <em>bearing</em> more than it does <em>facing</em>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-25T03:06:18.853Z
2017-12-25T03:06:18.853Z
Mou某
<p>the term "方向" existed in 漢 dynasty, with a difference meanings.</p>

<p>in <a href="http://ctext.org/shiji/ji-zheng-lie-zhuan/zh?searchu=%E6%96%B9%E5%90%91&amp;searchmode=showall#result" rel="nofollow noreferrer">史記　汲鄭列傳</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>上方向儒術﹒尊公孫弘</p>
</blockquote>

<p>the emperor (上, 漢武帝) just (方) yearn for (向 --> 向往) confucianism </p>

<p>in <a href="http://ctext.org/hou-han-shu/cai-yong-lie-zhuan-xia/zh?searchu=%E6%96%B9%E5%90%91&amp;searchmode=showall#result" rel="nofollow noreferrer">後漢書　蔡邕列傳下</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>見螳蜋方向鳴蟬</p>
</blockquote>

<p>saw (見) a manti (螳蜋 --> 螳螂) just (方) move towards (向) a chirping (鳴) cicada (蟬)</p>

<p>the modern usage as "directions" was appeared in <a href="https://zh.wikisource.org/zh-hant/%E8%91%AC%E6%9B%B8/%E9%9B%9C%E7%AF%87" rel="nofollow noreferrer">葬書 by 郭璞</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>又其次莫如方﹒方者方位之説﹒謂某山來合坐作某方向之類是也</p>
</blockquote>

<p>the most interesting one was in <a href="http://ctext.org/text.pl?node=556637&amp;searchu=%E6%96%B9%E5%90%91&amp;searchmode=showall&amp;if=gb#result" rel="nofollow noreferrer">通典　禮四十三</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>其告喪之禮﹒使至所在﹒集州縣官及僧道﹒將吏﹒百姓等於州府門外﹒並素服﹒各以其方向京師重行序立</p>
</blockquote>

<p>which described the rites of the funeral of the emperor. </p>

<p>各 --> people in each cities, municipals </p>

<p>以其方 --> according to their position</p>

<p>向 --> facing</p>

<p>京師 --> the capital (長安, in 唐 dynasty)</p>

<p>重行序立 --> queue up in double line?</p>

<p>further elaborate would be: cities, municipals would have different directions.</p>

<p>eg in canton, 長安 is roughly in the north, so "以其方向", people would be facing north.</p>

<p>or, in nanking (南京), 長安 is roughly in the west, so, people would be facing west.</p>

<p>currently, i'm reading the search results (1100+). at this moment, i would suggest 方向 is a contraction of 方位 + 面向 (position + facing).</p>

<p>wait :)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-25T18:49:05.450Z
2017-12-25T18:49:05.450Z
水巷孑蠻
<p>I've heard that 方 either a <strong>square</strong> chinese raft or a <strong>knot</strong> holding many raafts together. 方向 might be "a way of the raft" or "a side of a square = direction - S N W E"</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-25T10:18:52.347Z
2017-12-25T10:18:52.347Z
coobit
<p>In this context, 方 does not stand for the shape which has equal sides and right angles. While it may represent some contracted meanings in  ancient times, we don't do this now. In modern mandarin we simply use this word "方向" to mean "direction", and we do not use the single character 方 to express meaning now. </p>

<p>However, as modern Chinese, we would use “方”to express the meaning of “慌”, i.e. worried and nervous, which is simply a fun way to use similar pronunciation when we talk informally. This is a new trend started from the Internet. </p>

<p>And at last, 同乐同乐！</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-25T06:28:25.937Z
2017-12-25T06:28:25.937Z
xbh
<p><a href="https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/28141/what-is-the-role-of-%E6%96%B9-in-%E8%B2%BD%E7%AC%91%E5%A4%A7%E6%96%B9">Below</a> was a question about the role of 方 in 貽笑大方.  I'm sure our learnéd friends correctly advised. Just as a gut reaction, I would have said 大方 meant 'everywhere'.</p>

<p>I would like to know about 方 in 方向。</p>

<p>方 seems to mean square. Its etymology is a bit uncertain I think. I read it shows two ships tied together, or it shows a plough, or it shows that ancient punishment tool, a wooden square fixed around someone's neck.</p>

<p>In方向，meaning 'direction, orientation' does this 方 mean 'facing'?  In English we can say, "The two opponents squared off," basically meaning 'they directly faced each other.'</p>

<p>Is 方向 a contraction of a longer phrase? Maybe 地区，地方 + 走向？ </p>

<p>圣诞节快乐！</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-25T02:36:18.247Z
http://www.zdic.net/z/1b/js/65B9.htm
xenophōn
<meaning>
What is the meaning of 方 in 方向？
# What is the meaning of 方 in 方向？

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-12-25)

[Below](https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/28141/what-is-the-role-of-%E6%96%B9-in-%E8%B2%BD%E7%AC%91%E5%A4%A7%E6%96%B9) was a question about the role of 方 in 貽笑大方. I'm sure our learnéd friends correctly advised. Just as a gut reaction, I would have said 大方 meant 'everywhere'.

I would like to know about 方 in 方向。

方 seems to mean square. Its etymology is a bit uncertain I think. I read it shows two ships tied together, or it shows a plough, or it shows that ancient punishment tool, a wooden square fixed around someone's neck.

In方向，meaning 'direction, orientation' does this 方 mean 'facing'? In English we can say, "The two opponents squared off," basically meaning 'they directly faced each other.'

Is 方向 a contraction of a longer phrase? Maybe 地区，地方 + 走向？

圣诞节快乐！

**Tags:** meaning

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: http://www.zdic.net/z/1b/js/65B9.htm  

---

## 6 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-12-25. Score: 3

「方」 originally meant *side, surroundings* > *surrounding area*. Before compass directions were invented, one of the ways to refer to a direction was through nearby landmarks or surrounding villages/states, and hence 「方」 also carries the meaning *direction*, now surviving in words like 「東方」, 「西方」, etc.

You can therefore treat 「方向」 as a word where both characters carry roughly the same meaning (as is common in Chinese).

---

`商  
甲  
![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/GKrQf.png)  
鐵122.3  
合集8667``西周  
金  
![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/yQ1zj.png)  
毛公鼎  
集成2841``秦  
簡  
![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/KlEpT.png)  
秦131  
睡虎地秦簡``今  
楷  
![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/szaZc.png)`

「方」 ([Baxter-Sagart OC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconstructions_of_Old_Chinese#Baxter%E2%80%93Sagart_%282014%29): **/\*paŋ/**) is a derivative of [「亡」](http://xiaoxue.iis.sinica.edu.tw/yanbian?kaiOrder=33) (**/\*maŋ/**, *blade tip*, now written as 「鋩」). Both 「方」 and 「亡」 come from an additional mark drawn on [「刀」 (*picture of a knife/blade/weapon*)](http://xiaoxue.iis.sinica.edu.tw/yanbian?kaiOrder=14). The meaning *side, surroundings* is either a phonetic loan ([rebus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebus#Rebus_principle)) or semantic extension;
compare 「劃」, which uses a *knife* 「刀」 to *draw boundaries* 「畫」.

「方」 extensively appears in [Shang Dynasty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shang_dynasty) [oracle bones](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oracle_bone_script) as part of state names surrounding the Shang state, and these state mentions serve as an invaluable record of Ancient Chinese interstate relations. Collectively, these states are called [「方國」](https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E6%96%B9%E5%9B%BD).

---

**References:**

* 季旭昇《說文新證》
* [小學堂](http://xiaoxue.iis.sinica.edu.tw/)
* [國學大師](http://www.guoxuedashi.com/)
  + [郭沫若《甲骨文合集》](http://www.guoxuedashi.com/jgwhj/)
  + [中國社會科學院考古研究所《殷周金文集成》](http://www.guoxuedashi.com/yzjwjc/)


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2017-12-25. Score: 2

方 connotes side. 方, 方向 just means direction. They are not a contraction of any longer phrase.


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2017-12-25. Score: 2

The second definition in **规范** says:

> 2 名 目标所在的方位; 前进的目标

Perhaps the word you're looking for is: *方位*.

方位 is defined in [CC-CEDCIT](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdrst=1&wdqb=%E6%96%B9%E4%BD%8D) as:

> direction / points of the compass / bearing / position / azimuth

and **规范** defines it as:

> 名 物体在空间所处的方向或位置。如东､南､西､北､上､下､左､右､前､后等。

I would opt to say it means *bearing* more than it does *facing*.


---

### Answer by username_5 on 2017-12-25. Score: 2

the term "方向" existed in 漢 dynasty, with a difference meanings.

in [史記　汲鄭列傳](http://ctext.org/shiji/ji-zheng-lie-zhuan/zh?searchu=%E6%96%B9%E5%90%91&searchmode=showall#result)

> 上方向儒術﹒尊公孫弘

the emperor (上, 漢武帝) just (方) yearn for (向 --> 向往) confucianism

in [後漢書　蔡邕列傳下](http://ctext.org/hou-han-shu/cai-yong-lie-zhuan-xia/zh?searchu=%E6%96%B9%E5%90%91&searchmode=showall#result)

> 見螳蜋方向鳴蟬

saw (見) a manti (螳蜋 --> 螳螂) just (方) move towards (向) a chirping (鳴) cicada (蟬)

the modern usage as "directions" was appeared in [葬書 by 郭璞](https://zh.wikisource.org/zh-hant/%E8%91%AC%E6%9B%B8/%E9%9B%9C%E7%AF%87)

> 又其次莫如方﹒方者方位之説﹒謂某山來合坐作某方向之類是也

the most interesting one was in [通典　禮四十三](http://ctext.org/text.pl?node=556637&searchu=%E6%96%B9%E5%90%91&searchmode=showall&if=gb#result)

> 其告喪之禮﹒使至所在﹒集州縣官及僧道﹒將吏﹒百姓等於州府門外﹒並素服﹒各以其方向京師重行序立

which described the rites of the funeral of the emperor.

各 --> people in each cities, municipals

以其方 --> according to their position

向 --> facing

京師 --> the capital (長安, in 唐 dynasty)

重行序立 --> queue up in double line?

further elaborate would be: cities, municipals would have different directions.

eg in canton, 長安 is roughly in the north, so "以其方向", people would be facing north.

or, in nanking (南京), 長安 is roughly in the west, so, people would be facing west.

currently, i'm reading the search results (1100+). at this moment, i would suggest 方向 is a contraction of 方位 + 面向 (position + facing).

wait :)


---

### Answer by username_6 on 2017-12-25. Score: 1

I've heard that 方 either a **square** chinese raft or a **knot** holding many raafts together. 方向 might be "a way of the raft" or "a side of a square = direction - S N W E"


---

### Answer by username_7 on 2017-12-25. Score: 0

In this context, 方 does not stand for the shape which has equal sides and right angles. While it may represent some contracted meanings in ancient times, we don't do this now. In modern mandarin we simply use this word "方向" to mean "direction", and we do not use the single character 方 to express meaning now.

However, as modern Chinese, we would use “方”to express the meaning of “慌”, i.e. worried and nervous, which is simply a fun way to use similar pronunciation when we talk informally. This is a new trend started from the Internet.

And at last, 同乐同乐！


---

