面•邊•方

English translation: 面 and 方are largely interchangeable when referring to the place. 邊 is more restricted.

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

Chinese term or phrase:	面•邊•方
English translation:	面 and 方are largely interchangeable when referring to the place. 邊 is more restricted.
Entered by:	Roddy Stegemann

15:09 Jan 17, 2004

Chinese to English translations [Non-PRO]
/ 言語

Chinese term or phrase: 面•邊•方

In the context of left-side and right-side which of the above three characters is correct, or does it depend on context.

For example, how does one write

1) the right side of the road
2) the right side of your body
3) to the right of the house

Would you use the same expression, but with the opposite meaning for

1) Bear to the left
2) Turn left
3) Leftward rotating

I want to write 右面 for the first three and 左方 or even 左方向 for the second three. It appears that 邊 is spoken Cantonese for 面, but I am uncertain about this as well.

What are your thoughts?

Roddy Stegemann KudoZ activity Questions: 666 (4 open) (6 without valid answers) (3 closed without grading) Answers: 1221 United States
Local time: 21:46

side

Explanation:
1) the right side of the road
路的右边/右面/右方
2) the right side of your body
身体的右边
3) to the right of the house
屋子的右面/右方

1) Bear to the left
靠左
2) Turn left
向左拐
3) Leftward rotating
向左转

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Note added at 23 mins (2004-01-17 15:32:37 GMT)
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You don\'t even need to bother for adding extra words for the second 3 cases.边is not necessary Cantonese, but the word appears more frequently in the dialect is true.

Selected response from:

matias

Grading comment

Well, if I have understood correctly 方 and 面 are interchangeable when referring to position, but 向 refers to the direction in which something is moving. The use of 邊 appears restrictive.
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

5 +2

side

matias

Answers

21 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

side

matias
PRO pts in pair: 28

Grading comment

Well, if I have understood correctly 方 and 面 are interchangeable when referring to position, but 向 refers to the direction in which something is moving. The use of 邊 appears restrictive.

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