坊 (fāng): lane (in street names)

Meanings

Tā zhù zài páifāng jiē fùjìn.

He lives near Paifang Street.

Zhè tiáo xiàngzi jiào Sānyuánfāng.

This alley is called Sanyuanfang.

mistakes

Two pronunciations: fāng (lane, archway — used in place names) and fáng (workshop, mill — as in 作坊 zuōfáng). The meaning changes with the tone.

history

In ancient Chinese cities, 坊 were walled residential wards with gates that closed at night. Many old Beijing street names preserve 坊.

坊 fāng