方案

• Pinyin: fāng àn
• Hanzi breakdown: 方 = method/approach; 案 = 木 (wood/desk) + 安 (peaceful) — a proposal laid on the desk

Meaning

Plan; scheme; proposal. A structured plan or solution designed to address a specific problem or goal.

More formal than 计划 (plan), often used in professional, governmental, or academic settings. Implies a well-thought-out proposal with specific details. Common collocations include 制定方案 (formulate a plan), 实施方案 (implementation plan), and 解决方案 (solution).

Examples

1. 我们需要制定一个新的方案来解决这个问题。 We need to formulate a new plan to solve this problem.
2. 这个方案得到了所有人的支持。 This plan received everyone's support.
3. 经理让我们在周五之前交方案。 The manager asked us to submit the proposal before Friday.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, academic, government

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 你们有没有更好的方案？(Do you have a better plan?)
• 公司正在讨论新的营销方案。(The company is discussing a new marketing plan.)

Don't Say

• 我今天的方案是去公园 (Don't use 方案 for casual personal plans — use 计划 or 打算 for everyday plans)

Origin & History

A compound of 方 (method/approach) and 案 (desk/proposal document), originally referring to a document on a desk outlining a plan — extended to mean any structured proposal.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal