东西方 (dōng xī fāng) — the East and the West; east and west | tongtong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

the East and the Westeast and west

Examples

东西方。
dōng xī fāng Wén huà yǒu hěn duō bù tóng zhī chù.
Eastern and Western cultures have many differences.
东西方。
Tā yán jiū dōng xī fāng zhé xué bǐ jiào.
He studies the comparison between Eastern and Western philosophy.
东西方。
dōng xī fāng Zhī jiān de jiāo liú yuè lái yuè duō.
Communication between East and West is increasing.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

东西east-west

东dōngeast西xīwest

联合Side by side

东西 east-west and 方 region combine to name the East and West.

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.

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

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