西
xī/ɕi⁵⁵/
The English word "west" is translated into Chinese as 西 (xī). If unsure, use 西. Wiktionary also lists 西方 (xīfāng).
Meaning: compass point (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 西 | xī | /ɕi⁵⁵/ (Mandarin, Standard Chinese, Sinological IPA) /ɕi⁵⁵/ (Mandarin, Chengdu, Sinological IPA) |
|
| 西方 | xīfāng | /ɕi⁵⁵ fɑŋ⁵⁵/ (Mandarin, Standard Chinese, Sinological IPA) /ɕi⁵⁵ faŋ⁵⁵/ (Mandarin, Chengdu, Sinological IPA) |
|
| 西 | sai | /sai⁴⁴/ (Min Nan, Hokkien, Sinological IPA, Xiamen) /se⁴⁴/ (Min Nan, Hokkien, Sinological IPA, Xiamen) |
Hokkien |
The character 西 is used to denote the compass point west. It can function as a noun to mean "the west," or as an adverb and adjective to mean "towards the west" or "western."
Which one should you use?
While 西 refers specifically to the compass direction, the term 西方 is used to refer to the Western world or Western culture.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Dungan, the forms щи and щифон are used. In Hokkien, the word is pronounced sai. In Cantonese, the phrase 西面 is commonly used informally to mean "west".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify a direction as a specific location or side in a sentence, the suffix 边 is often added to 西, resulting in 西边 (the west side or in the west).
How do you pronounce it?
The Hokkien form 西 is pronounced /ɕi⁵⁵/ (sai).
Did you know?
- In ancient inscriptions, the character 西 was sometimes written using the same symbol as 囟, which refers to the brain or a skull.
Examples in context
- 太阳在西边下山。The sun sets in the west.This sentence uses 西 to describe the direction of the setting sun.Tatoeba #2595792 by GlossaMatik, translation #275141 by CK
- 塔有點向西邊傾斜。The tower leaned slightly to the west.This sentence uses 西 to indicate the direction a tower is leaning.Tatoeba #5868151 by xjjAstrus, translation #279670 by CK
- 杭州因西湖而闻名。Hangzhou is famous for the West Lake.This sentence uses 西 as part of a proper name, West Lake.Tatoeba #13953769 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #13953770 by jan_OkulaJu
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zihan and Wei are looking at a map of the city.
- 梓涵 Zihan我们要往西走吗？Wǒmen yào wǎng xī zǒu ma?Do we need to go west?
- 伟 Wei是的，车站就在西边。Shì de, chēzhàn jiù zài xībiān.Yes, the station is just to the west.
- 梓涵 Zihan那我们现在就走吧。Nà wǒmen xiànzài jiù zǒu ba.Then let's go now.
- 伟 Wei好，跟我来。Hǎo, gēn wǒ lái.Okay, follow me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “west” translations and entries 西, 西方, 西, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 西, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
