東 / 东
dōng
In Chinese, the phrase for "east" is 東 / 东 (dōng). Wiktionary also lists 東方 / 东方 (dōngfāng).
Meaning: compass point (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 東 / 东 | dōng | |
| 東方 / 东方 | dōngfāng | |
| 東 / 东 | Hokkien |
The word is used to denote the compass direction. Related forms can also be used to describe something as being in or towards the east.
Which one should you use?
While 東 / 东 refers to the compass direction, 東方 / 东方 is used to refer to the Orient / the East (as a geopolitical or cultural entity).
Is it said differently in some regions?
The forms дун and дунфон are used in Dungan, while 東 / 东 is used in Hokkien.
Related words
Did you know?
- The character 东 can be used as a slang unit of time meaning 'two minutes'. This comes from a 2018 sexual assault case involving businessman Liu Qiangdong, whose encounter was mocked for its brevity.
- The character 東 is thought by some to represent a sun rising behind a tree, though many scholars believe this is merely a folk etymology.
Examples in context
- 我的家乡在东海岸。My hometown is on the east coast.
- 东方文化有着悠久的历史。Eastern culture has a long history.
- 我家在城市的东边。My house is on the east side of the city.
- 那家餐厅在公园东边。That restaurant is on the east side of the park.
- 昨天我去东边的市场买了些水果。Yesterday, I went to the market on the east side and bought some fruits.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “east” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 東, CC BY-SA 4.0.
