東
higashi[çiɡa̠ɕi]
The Japanese word for east is 東 (higashi). Wiktionary also lists 東方 (tōhō).
Meaning: compass point (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 東 | higashi | [çiɡa̠ɕi] (narrow) [a̠zɨma̠] (narrow) |
| 東方 | tōhō | [to̞ːho̞ː] (narrow) [çiɡa̠ɕika̠ta̠] (narrow) |
The primary word for the compass direction east is 東. You can also use the related form 東へ to indicate movement towards the east.
Which one should you use?
While 東 refers specifically to the compass direction, 東方 is a more formal or literary term used to refer to 'the East' as a geopolitical or cultural region, such as the Orient.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the noun as an attributive adjective meaning 'eastern' (for example, to say 'the eastern part'), you must add the particle の to the noun: 東の. To indicate direction towards the east, you can use 東へ.
How do you pronounce it?
higashi
Did you know?
- In the Japanese counting system for some traditional arts, directions like higashi are linked to specific colors and elements in the five elements theory.
- The word for east can be seen as a nominalization of the verb 'hajimeru', which means 'to begin' or 'to start'.
- The word 東 can be read as 'azuma', a reading that stems from an ancient Japanese word of unknown origin.
Examples in context
- 東海岸出身です。I'm from the East Coast.This sentence is useful for mentioning your origin using 東.Tatoeba #12593293 by small_snow, translation #1912019 by Spamster
- 風は東から吹いている。The wind is blowing from the east.This sentence is useful for describing wind direction using 東.Tatoeba #84008 by tommy_san, translation #319709 by CK
- 風は東に吹いています。The wind is blowing east.Tatoeba #84037 by bunbuku, translation #319679 by CM
- 東京は日本の東に位置しています。Tokyo is located in the east of Japan.
- 日本の東に位置する地域へのご案内です。Here's a guide to the region located in the east of Japan.
- あのレストランは東側にありますよ。That restaurant is located on the east side.
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are looking at a map together.
- 健太 Kenta駅はどちらの方角にありますか？Eki wa dochira no hōgaku ni arimasu ka?Which direction is the station in?
- 結衣 Yui地図を見ると、東にありますよ。Chizu o miru to, higashi ni arimasu yo.Looking at the map, it's to the east.
- 健太 Kentaあっちが東ですね。Acchi ga higashi desu ne.That way is east, right?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、そうです。Hai, sō desu.Yes, that's right.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “east” translations and entries 東, 東方, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 東, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
