东奔西走

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Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"东奔西走" literally means "running east and west," and it describes someone who is busy rushing around from place to place. It often implies a hectic schedule or urgent tasks requiring movement in multiple directions.

Common Contexts

This phrase is frequently used to describe people who are very busy with errands, work, or responsibilities that require traveling or moving around a lot, such as preparing for events, job hunting, or caregiving.

Collocations and Patterns

Nuance and Register

The phrase is informal and vivid, often used in spoken language or informal writing to emphasize busyness and effort. It can carry a slightly sympathetic tone, highlighting the speaker's recognition of someone's hard work.

Common Confusion

Do not confuse 东奔西走 with simply "" (walking back and forth), which lacks the sense of urgency and busyness. 东奔西走 stresses active, purposeful rushing around.

Example Sentences

He has been rushing around everywhere lately to prepare for the meeting and

To find a job, she has been running around everywhere and submitted many

Doctors rush around every day taking care of many patients.