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地方 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
地方dìfāngregionHSK 3, n, 10 strokes, rank #181, Medium
地方dìfāngregional (away from the central administration)HSK 3, n, 10 strokes, rank #181, Medium
地方dìfānglocalHSK 3, n, 10 strokes, rank #181, Medium
地方dìfāngareaHSK 3, n, 10 strokes, rank #181, Medium
地方dìfāngplaceHSK 3, n, 10 strokes, rank #181, Medium
地方dìfāngspaceHSK 3, n, 10 strokes, rank #181, Medium
地方dìfāngroomHSK 3, n, 10 strokes, rank #181, Medium
地方dìfāngterritoryHSK 3, n, 10 strokes, rank #181, Medium
地方dìfangregionHSK 3, n, 10 strokes, rank #181, Medium
地方dìfangregional (away from the central administration)HSK 3, n, 10 strokes, rank #181, Medium
地方dìfanglocalHSK 3, n, 10 strokes, rank #181, Medium
地方dìfangareaHSK 3, n, 10 strokes, rank #181, Medium
地方dìfangplaceHSK 3, n, 10 strokes, rank #181, Medium
地方dìfangspaceHSK 3, n, 10 strokes, rank #181, Medium
地方dìfangroomHSK 3, n, 10 strokes, rank #181, Medium
地方dìfangterritoryHSK 3, n, 10 strokes, rank #181, Medium
dìfang(di4fang5)di fang
primary
 T4
  1. 1region
  2. 2regional (away from the central administration)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

地方dìfang(di4fang5)

地方 (dìfang) refers to a specific area, region, or place. It can denote anything from a local neighborhood to a broader geographical region, often emphasizing the local characteristics or governance that differ from central authorities.

Strokes10Frequency#181DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, 地方 can hint at local customs and traditions, which vary significantly from one region to another. For instance, the concept of '地方小吃' refers to local snacks that are unique to specific areas.

Memory Tip

Imagine a big map with different 'places' marked by colorful pins. The character 地 (dì) looks like the earth, while 方 (fāng) resembles a square area or room. Together, they depict the idea of various 'places' on the map.

Meanings of 地方

dìfang(di4fang5)
primary
1region
2regional (away from the central administration)
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 地方

地方Simplified
10Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#181Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL1YCTL2HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 地方

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Podcast: 地方

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AI Study Notes for 地方

Quick Contrast

地区 (dìqū) refers specifically to a region or district, often emphasizing administrative boundaries, while 地方 (dìfang) can refer to a more general area or place without such specific delineation.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 地方 with the more formal 地区 (dìqū), which means district or area in an administrative sense. 地方 is commonly used in everyday conversation, while 地区 might appear in official contexts. Make sure to use the correct tone as mispronunciation could change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 3 word, 地方 connects well with other location-based vocabulary like 这里 (zhèlǐ - here) and 哪里 (nǎlǐ - where). Focus on using it in sentences to describe places you visit or know in China.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 地方 to refer to abstract concepts, saying things like '这个地方很好' (this place is good) when they mean 'this idea is good.' The correct term for ideas would be '想法' (xiǎngfǎ).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 地方

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Component Characters

地dìearth
HSK 26 strokes土
View full entry
方fāngsquare
HSK 54 strokes方
View full entry

How to say region in Chinese

“region” in Chinese is地方dìfāng

地方 (dìfang) refers to a specific area, region, or place. It can denote anything from a local neighborhood to a broader geographical region, often emphasizing the local characteristics or governance that differ from central authorities.

When to use 地方

Be careful not to confuse 地方 with the more formal 地区 (dìqū), which means district or area in an administrative sense. 地方 is commonly used in everyday conversation, while 地区 might appear in official contexts. Make sure to use the correct tone as mispronunciation could change the meaning.

地方 or something close to it

地区 (dìqū) refers specifically to a region or district, often emphasizing administrative boundaries, while 地方 (dìfang) can refer to a more general area or place without such specific delineation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 地方 to refer to abstract concepts, saying things like '这个地方很好' (this place is good) when they mean 'this idea is good.' The correct term for ideas would be '想法' (xiǎngfǎ).

Write 地方

地
方

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

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Grammar Patterns of 地方

地方 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 8 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.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 2

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

那个____我去过了，去过两次了。

I have been to that place — been there twice, actually.

Example Sentences for 地方 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
只需拨这个号码告诉我们你在什么地方。

zhī xū bō zhè gè hào mǎ gào sù wǒ mén nǐ zài shí mó dì fāng。

Simply dial the number and tell us your area.
2
将胭脂调匀涂在你脸颊红润的地方。

jiāng yān zhī tiáo yún tú zài nǐ liǎn jiá hóng rùn de dì fāng。

Dust and blend blusher on the apples of your cheeks.
3
梅诺卡岛是那种适合家庭旅游的地方。

méi nuò kǎ dǎo shì nà zhǒng shì hé jiā tíng lǚ yóu de dì fāng。

Minorca is the sort of place that caters for families.
4
我把1亿美元藏到了一个永远没人会找到的地方。

wǒ bǎ1 1 yì měi yuán cáng dào le yī gè yǒng yuǎn méi rén huì zhǎo dào de dì。

I have $100m hidden away where no one will ever find it.
5
15岁的丹尼从地方当局的收容所逃跑了。

15 15 suì de dān ní cóng dì fāng dāng jú de shōu róng suǒ táo pǎo。

Fifteen-year-old Danny is on the run from a local authority home.
6
感觉这就像是天底下最荒凉的地方。

gǎn jué zhè jiù xiàng shì tiān dǐ xià zuì huāng liáng de dì fāng。

It felt like the loneliest place in the world.
7
除了厨房特别干净外，这地方一片狼藉。

chú le chú fáng tè bié gān jìng wài， ， zhè dì fāng yī piàn láng。

Except for the remarkably tidy kitchen, the place was a mess.
8
这正是很多父母犯错的地方。

zhè zhèng shì hěn duō fù mǔ fàn cuò de dì fāng。

This is where a lot of parents go wrong.
9
这整个地方就是那位家长式乡绅的浪漫想象。

zhè zhěng gè dì fāng jiù shì nà wèi jiā cháng shì xiāng shēn de làng màn xiǎng xiàng。

The whole place was the romantic vision of the paternalist local squire.
10
尽管这辆汽车基本状况良好，我还是担心一些地方不够安全。

jìn guǎn zhè liàng qì chē jī běn zhuàng kuàng liáng hǎo， ， wǒ huán shì dān xīn yī xiē dì fāng bù gòu ān。

Although the car is basically sound, I was worried about certain areas.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 地方

You can say '这个地方很美' (zhège dìfang hěn měi) which means 'This place is beautiful.'

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