How to Write 枋 (fāng) — Meaning “square beam; lintel”

Imagine a wooden (木) beam that is exactly square in cross-section. The right side 方 (square) reminds you of its shape, so you can think 'a square beam made of wood.'

Write the left 木 first: horizontal, vertical, left-falling, right-falling. Then write the right side 方: dot, horizontal, horizontal left-falling hook, left-falling. Be careful not to make the 方 too narrow, and keep the 木 radical slightly smaller on the left.

Both 朱 and 朴 also have the wood radical 木, but their right parts differ. 朱 has a horizontal stroke through the middle and means 'vermilion red', while 朴 has 卜 on the right and means 'simple or plain'. 枋 specifically means a square timber beam, which is unique to its component 方.

枋 is a technical term used in construction and carpentry to describe a square timber or lintel. You might find it in building material catalogs or traditional architecture discussions, but it is not common in everyday conversation and is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists.

Common words containing 枋 include: 枋木 (fāng mù) — square timber; 枋子 (fāng zi) — square beam; 枋材 (fāng cái) — square timber material.