Definition
方寸 has two distinct noun senses. The figurative sense refers to one's heart or mind, and appears in literary and idiomatic expressions like 方寸大乱 ('one's mind is in turmoil'). The literal sense is a traditional unit of area equal to one square cun (about 3.3 cm²), used for small spaces. The figurative sense is far more common in modern Chinese; the literal sense is mostly encountered in historical or technical contexts.
n.
(literary) the heartone's minda small areaa square cun (unit of area)
Examples
- 方寸。Tā bèi zhège xiāoxi xià de fāng cùn dà luàn.He was so frightened by this news that his mind was in turmoil.
- 方寸，。Zhè kuài dì zhǐ yǒu fāng cùn dàxiǎo, zhòng bù liǎo shénme.This piece of land is only a square cun in size; you can't plant much.
- 方寸，。Tā xīnzhōng fāng cùn yǐ luàn, wúfǎ zuòchū juédìng.His heart is already in turmoil, unable to make a decision.
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