东西南北 (dōng xī nán běi) — the four cardinal directions (east, west, south, north); all directions; everywhere

Definition

A set phrase literally naming the four cardinal directions (east, west, south, north). Often used loosely to mean 'every direction / everywhere', as in collecting items from all over.

idiom
the four cardinal directions (east, west, south, north)all directionseverywhere

Examples

  • 东西南北？
    Nǐ wǎng dōng xī nán běi nǎ ge fāng xiàng zǒu?
    Which direction are you heading — east, west, south, or north?
  • 东西南北。
    Tā cóng dōng xī nán běi gè dì shōu jí le xǔ duō gǔ dǒng.
    He collected many antiques from all over the place.
  • 东西南北。
    Zài shā mò lǐ biàn bié dōng xī nán běi kě bù róng yì.
    It's not easy to tell the four directions in the desert.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

东西east and west
东dōngeast西xīwest
联合Side by side
南北south and north
南nánsouth北běinorth
联合Side by side

All directions: '东西' pairs east and west, '南北' pairs south and north.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 東; 东 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 東 originally drew a full bag tied at both ends. The simplified 东 is a later shorthand, not the historical shape.

Open 东 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 西 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 南 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The form 北 shows two people standing back to back. It originally meant 'back'.

Open 北 →

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