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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.

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