dōng
西
(Mandarin)
(Cantonese)

東西 (Traditional: 東西)

HSK 1

Dictionary

east and west

Examples

这条街东西方向走到底就是超市。

Zhè tiáo jiē dōng xī fāng xiàng zǒu dào dǐ jiù shì chāo shì.

Walking east and west to the end of this street will lead you to the supermarket.

Did You Know?

Cultural Note

Word Formation

东 means 'east' and 西 means 'west', literally 'east-west' but together mean 'thing/stuff'.

Usage Tips

Avoid giving a clock (钟) as a gift because it sounds like 'sending someone off to their end' — but 东西 itself is neutral for any object.