东 (dōng) — east; (in 做东) host, one who treats to a meal
Definition
东 is the everyday word for the direction east; it pairs with 西 to name sides. In 做东 ('be the host at a meal') it means the one who pays — narrower than 主人 (host/owner in general) or 东道主 (host of an event).
noun
east(in 做东) hostone who treats to a meal
Examples
- 。Tài yáng cóng dōng bian chū lái le.The sun has come out from the east.
- ，。Zhè cì wǒ qǐng kè, wǒ lái zuò dōng.This time I'm treating — I'll be the host.
- 东。Wǎng dōng zǒu shí fēn zhōng jiù dào le.Walk east for ten minutes and you'll arrive.
Origin
Pictograph六书liùshū
象形xiàngxíngA 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.
Appears in
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