Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
坊 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
fāngneighborhood, district, community; street, lane; millng, 7 strokes, radical 土, rank #14590, Hard
fāngsurname Fangunknown, 7 strokes, radical 土, rank #14590, Hard
fāngworkshopunknown, 7 strokes, radical 土, rank #14590, Hard
fāngmemorial archwayunknown, 7 strokes, radical 土, rank #14590, Hard
fángneighborhood, district, community; street, lane; millng, 7 strokes, radical 土, rank #14590, Hard
fángsurname Fangunknown, 7 strokes, radical 土, rank #14590, Hard
fángworkshopunknown, 7 strokes, radical 土, rank #14590, Hard
fángmemorial archwayunknown, 7 strokes, radical 土, rank #14590, Hard
fāng(Fang1)
primary
T1
  1. 1neighborhood, district, community; street, lane; mill
  2. 2workshop
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

fāng(Fang1)

The character 坊 (fāng) primarily refers to a neighborhood or district, often connoting a specific community or street. It can also denote a workshop or mill, highlighting its historical significance in trade and craftsmanship within local areas.

Strokes7RadicalFrequency#14590DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 坊 is significant as it reflects traditional communal living and the importance of local workshops in historical economies. Many ancient towns in China are still referred to by their 坊 names, representing their unique identities.

Memory Tip

Think of 坊 (fāng) as a 'house' (土) where people gather (坊) in the neighborhood. Visualize a bustling street filled with workshops, where the sound of hammers and the aroma of freshly milled grains fill the air, making it memorable.

Meanings of 坊

fāng(Fang1)
primary
1neighborhood, district, community; street, lane; mill
2workshop
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 坊

Simplified
7Strokes
Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 坊

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 坊

Quick Contrast

坊 (fāng) vs 区 (qū) — use 坊 when referring to a specific community or street, while 区 refers more generally to a district or area.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 坊 (fāng) as a 'house' (土) where people gather (坊) in the neighborhood. Visualize a bustling street filled with workshops, where the sound of hammers and the aroma of freshly milled grains fill the air, making it memorable.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 坊 with similar characters like 方 (fāng), which means direction or square. 坊 is used more in historical or geographical contexts, while 方 is used in everyday situations. Be mindful of the informal vs. formal contexts when using 坊.

HSK Study Tips

Although 坊 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, understanding it can enhance your grasp of community-related terms at HSK Level 3. Focus on its usage in place names and historical contexts, linking it with other words related to neighborhoods or communities.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 坊 is significant as it reflects traditional communal living and the importance of local workshops in historical economies. Many ancient towns in China are still referred to by their 坊 names, representing their unique identities.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 坊 with the character 方 (fāng). An incorrect usage would be '我住在这个方' instead of '我住在这个坊', as 方 does not convey the sense of a neighborhood.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 坊

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 坊

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 土 represents the meaning and 方 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

earth

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 坊?

Decomposition of 坊

IDS Structure⿰土方
Full Character
=
Tu3
left
Fang1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 坊?

Write 坊

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 坊

坊 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 5

Complete the Sentence

她的孩子们的生日聚会在街____四邻里是最好、最讲究的。

Her children had the best, most elaborate birthday parties in the neighborhood.

Example Sentences for 坊 (4)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
她的孩子们的生日聚会在街坊四邻里是最好、最讲究的。

tā de hái zǐ mén de shēng rì jù huì zài jiē fāng sì lín lǐ shì zuì hǎo、 、 zuì jiǎng jiū。

Her children had the best, most elaborate birthday parties in the neighborhood.
2
她是街坊上所有孩子的好阿姨.

tā shì jiē fāng shàng suǒ yǒu hái zǐ de hǎo ā yí.

She is a good aunt to all the children in the neighbourhood.
3
50多年来,这间老磨坊一直在磨粮食.

50 50 duō nián, lái , zhè jiān lǎo mó fāng yī zhí zài mó.

This old mill has been grinding away for over 50 years.
4
木匠正在作坊里锤打.

mù jiàng zhèng zài zuò fāng lǐ chuí dǎ.

The carpenter was hammering in his workshop.

Cultural Notes for 坊

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of 坊 is significant as it reflects traditional communal living and the importance of local workshops in historical economies. Many ancient towns in China are still referred to by their 坊 names, representing their unique identities.

Word Family of 坊

Words Containing This Character20
fāngmill
作坊workshop (of artisan)
街坊neighborhood
磨坊mill
牌坊memorial arch
潍坊Weifang prefecture level city in Shandong濰坊
廊坊Langfang prefecture-level city in Hebei
坊间street stalls坊間
潍坊市Weifang prefecture level city in Shandong濰坊市
廊坊市Langfang prefecture-level city in Hebei
香坊区Xiangfang district of Harbin 哈爾濱|哈尔滨[Hā​'ěr​bīn] in Heilongjiang香坊區
茶坊teahouse
本因坊Honinbo, major school of Go in Japan (1612-1940)
贞节牌坊memorial arch in honor of a chaste widow貞節牌坊
街坊四邻neighbors街坊四鄰
街坊邻里neighbors街坊鄰里
碾坊grain mill
潍坊地区Weifang prefecture in Shandong濰坊地區
牡丹坊Peony Lane
坊子区Fangzi district of Weifang city 濰坊市|潍坊市[Wéi​fāng​shì], Shandong坊子區
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 坊 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 坊

Besides referring to a neighborhood or district, 坊 can mean workshop or mill, indicating a place where work is done.