东南西北
dōng nán xī běi
The phrase for north east south west in Chinese is 东南西北 (dōng nán xī běi).
This phrase is used to refer to the four cardinal directions of a compass.
How does it change in a sentence?
The standard order of characters in this phrase is East (东), South (南), West (西) and North (北). This differs from the English order of North, East, South, West.
How do you pronounce it?
dōng nán xī běi
Did you know?
- The character for 'north' 北 originally depicted two people standing back-to-back, symbolizing the act of turning one's back or retreating.
- In ancient Chinese cosmology, the 'north' 北 was associated with the color black and the element of water, while the 'south' 南 was linked to red and fire.
- In traditional Chinese culture, the 'south' 南 was so prestigious that the emperor's throne was traditionally faced south to receive the positive energy of the sun.
Examples in context
- 中国的长城从东北向西北延伸，它最著名的部分在北方。The Great Wall of China extends from northeast to northwest. Its most famous sections are in the north.
- 太阳从东方升起。The sun rises in the east.
- 夏天，很多中国人会去南方旅行。In summer, many Chinese people travel to the south.
- 我家在北边。My house is in the north.
- 左转然后一直往东边走。Turn left and go straight to the east.
- 我们在公园南门见面吧。Let's meet at the south entrance of the park.
- 超市在街道的西边。The supermarket is located on the west side of the street.
- 东南西北都很重要。Dōng nán xī běi dōu hěn zhòngyào.North, south, east, and west are all important.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a map to find a hiking trail.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我们要往哪边走？Wǒmen yào wǎng nǎ biān zǒu?Which way should we go?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen地图上标了东南西北。Dìtú shàng biāole dōng nán xī běi.The map marks north, south, east, and west.
- 志强 Zhiqiang那我们要去东北方向。Nà wǒmen yào qù dōng běi fāngxiàng.Then we need to go in the northeast direction.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen好的，跟着地图走吧。Hǎo de, gēnzhe dìtú zǒu ba.Okay, let's follow the map.
