西

the West

JLPT N4 西 6 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Meaning and Usage

The character 西 primarily means "west" or "the West." It can refer to the cardinal direction, Western countries, or regions located to the west. It is commonly used in geographical contexts and cultural references.

Common Collocations

  • 西 (xīfāng): the West, Western countries or culture
  • 西 (xībù): western part or region
  • 西 (xībiān): west side

Usage Notes

When used alone, 西 usually denotes the direction west. When combined with (fāng), it refers to Western countries or culture, often contrasting with (dōngfāng, the East). It is a neutral term and widely used in both formal and informal contexts.

Common Confusion

Do not confuse 西 with (dōng), which means east. Also, 西 can be part of place names or idiomatic expressions, so context is important to determine its exact meaning.

Example Sentences

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

He likes listening to Western music.

We plan to travel to the western region.