東 (dōng) - East — cardinal direction & the East

東Tone 1

dōng ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 木

丁恩

東 · dōng

East — cardinal direction;

the East;

the Orient;

eastern;

host (in certain contexts).

East — cardinal directionthe Eastthe Orient

Usage highlights

EastEast AsiaTokyoEasternNortheastSoutheast

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The sun rises in the east (东方).
  • He is from East Asia (东亚).
  • Tokyo is the capital of Japan (日本东京).
  • We are heading east (向东).

Collocations

  • East(东方)
  • East Asia(东亚)
  • Tokyo(东京)
  • Eastern(东方的)
  • Northeast(东北)
  • Southeast(东南)

Idioms

  • The east wind prevails over the west wind(东风压倒西风)
  • Everything is ready except the east wind(万事俱备，只欠东风)
  • Robbing the east to pay the west(拆东墙补西墙)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese cosmology, the east is associated with wood, spring, and the Azure Dragon.
  • Historically significant as the direction of sunrise, symbolizing birth, renewal, and hope.
  • Used metaphorically to represent the host in traditional Chinese etiquette (东道主).

FAQ