長方形 / 长方形
chángfāngxíng
The English word rectangle is 長方形 / 长方形 (chángfāngxíng) in Chinese. Wiktionary also lists 矩形 (jǔxíng).
Meaning: quadrilateral (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 長方形 / 长方形 | chángfāngxíng |
| 矩形 | jǔxíng |
What does it mean word for word?
The term 長方形 / 长方形 is composed of 長 (long), 方 (square/side) and 形 (shape).
Which one should you use?
長方形 / 长方形 is the common term used in everyday language and primary education, whereas 矩形 is a more technical, mathematical term used in geometry.
How do you pronounce it?
chángfāngxíng
Did you know?
- In ancient Chinese philosophy, the concept of 'square' 方 and 'circle' 圓 were used to represent the earth and the sky respectively.
- The technical term 矩形 uses the character 矩, which refers to an ancient carpenter's square used to ensure right angles in construction.
- In Chinese, the word for 'square' is 正方形, which literally means 'upright square' or 'correct square'.
Examples in context
- 请将这个图形画成长方形。Please draw this shape as a rectangle.
- 这个房间的窗户是矩形的。The windows in this room are rectangular.
- 这个面包是长方形的。This bread is in the shape of a rectangle.
- 这块巧克力是矩形的。This piece of chocolate is rectangular.
- 这个地毯的形状是矩形的。The carpet has a rectangular shape.
- 我的手机屏幕是长方形的。My phone screen is rectangular.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rectangle” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
