平方

• Pinyin: píng fāng
• Hanzi breakdown: 平 = a balanced scale — flat, level; 方 = a raft or square shape — square, direction

Meaning

Square; square metre. A mathematical term for squaring a number, and commonly used as shorthand for 平方米 (square metre) when discussing area.

In mathematics, 平方 means 'squared' — 三的平方是九 (three squared is nine). In everyday life, it is widely used as shorthand for 平方米 when discussing floor area — 这套房子有八十平方 (this flat is eighty square metres). Also appears in 平方千米 (square kilometre) and 平方厘米 (square centimetre).

Examples

1. 这间卧室大约有十五平方米。 This bedroom is about fifteen square metres.
2. 四的平方等于十六。 Four squared equals sixteen.
3. 他们买了一套一百二十平方的房子。 They bought a flat of one hundred and twenty square metres.

Usage Guide

Context: mathematics, real estate, measurement

Tone: informational

Do Say

• 这套房子有九十平方。(This flat is ninety square metres.)
• 五的平方是二十五。(Five squared is twenty-five.)

Don't Say

• 一个平方的房间 (Don't use 平方 as an adjective meaning 'square-shaped' — use 方形的; 平方 refers to area measurement or mathematical squaring)

Origin & History

A compound of 平 (flat/level) and 方 (square/direction) — a flat square, used for area measurement.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal