东 (dōng) - East — cardinal direction & host

东Tone 1

dōng ｜ 5 strokes ｜ radical: 一

丁恩

东 · dōng

East — cardinal direction;

host;

owner;

in Chinese contexts, often refers to the East, the Orient, or the host of an event.

East — cardinal directionhostowner

Usage highlights

EastHostTokyoEast China SeaOwnerNortheast

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The sun rises in the east (东方).
  • He is the host of the party (东道主).
  • Tokyo is the capital of Japan (东京).
  • We are going to the East China Sea (东海).

Collocations

  • East(东方)
  • Host(东道主)
  • Tokyo(东京)
  • East China Sea(东海)
  • Owner(房东)
  • Northeast(东北)

Idioms

  • Everything is ready except the east wind(万事俱备，只欠东风)
  • The east wind prevails over the west wind(东风压倒西风)
  • A host should behave like a host(东道主之道)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese culture, east is associated with spring, wood element, and the direction of sunrise, symbolizing birth and renewal.
  • The character is historically linked to the concept of the host, as the host traditionally sits in the east position facing west.
  • In modern contexts, 'East' often refers to East Asia or the Orient in cultural and geographical discussions.

FAQ