六合 (Lù hé) — the six directions (up, down, east, west, south, north); the whole universe or world

Definition

Literary/classical term for 'the six directions' (天地四方), used to mean the whole world or universe. Found mainly in written, historical, or literary contexts rather than everyday speech.

noun
the six directions (up, down, east, west, south, north)the whole universe or world

Examples

  • 六合。
    Gǔ rén rèn wéi Lù hé shì tiān dì wàn wù de zǒng chēng.
    The ancients believed that the six directions were the general term for heaven, earth, and all things.
  • 六合，。
    Lù hé Zhī nèi, jiē wèi zhōng guó.
    Within the six directions, all is China.
  • 六合。
    Zhè ge chuán shuō zài Lù hé zhī jiān liú chuán hěn guǎng.
    This legend is widespread across the world.

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.

六liùsix
合héunion

“六” (six) and “合” (union) together name the six directions as a whole.

Characters in this word

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

The shape of 六 may come from a simple drawing of a shed, or from an ancient counting mark.

Open 六 →

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

合 shows 亼 and 口 arranged as two mouths speaking together.

Open 合 →

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