Definition
方位 (fāng wèi) refers to a specific position or orientation, especially relative to compass points (north, south, etc.) — it's more technical and precise than the everyday word 方向 (fāng xiàng 'direction'). Use 方位 when talking about absolute or cardinal directions, or in contexts like geography, navigation, or feng shui; 方向 is used for general directions like 'which way to go'.
noun
directionorientationposition (especially relative to compass points)
Easily confused
- 防卫fáng wèisound-alike(verb) to defend, to protect against attack
Examples
- 方位？Nǐ néng gàosu wǒ zhège fāng wèi zài nǎlǐ ma?Can you tell me where this direction/position is?
- ，方位。Tā de fāngxiàng gǎn hěn qiáng, zǒng néng zhǔnquè pànduàn fāng wèi.He has a strong sense of direction and can always accurately judge orientation.
- ，方位。Zài yěwài, wǒmen kěyǐ yòng zhǐnánzhēn quèdìng fāng wèi.In the wild, we can use a compass to determine direction.
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