东西南北 (dōng xī nā) — 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 nā nǎ ge fāng xiàng zǒu?Which direction are you heading — east, west, south, or north?
- 东西南北。Tā cóng dōng xī nā 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 nā kě bù róng yì.It's not easy to tell the four directions in the desert.
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