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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'west' with 西 (xī)

    Direction & Movement
    Location & Position

    Structure

    向 + 西 + Verb

    Explanation

    西 (xī) means 'west' and is one of the four cardinal directions in Chinese. It can stand alone or combine with other characters to form words like 西方 (Western) or 西边 (west side). For example, 向西通往其他地区 means 'heading west to other regions.'

    Examples

    • 太阳从东边升起,从西边落下。

      tàiyáng cóng dōngbiān shēngqǐ, cóng xībiān luòxià.

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

    • 我们学校的西门外面有一家很好吃的面馆。

      wǒmen xuéxiào de xīmén wàimiàn yǒu yī jiā hěn hǎochī de miànguǎn.

      There is a delicious noodle restaurant outside the west gate of our school.

    • 往西走两个路口就能看到地铁站。

      wǎng xī zǒu liǎng ge lùkǒu jiù néng kàndào dìtiězhàn.

      Walk west for two blocks and you'll see the subway station.

    Expressing 'west' with 西 (xī) | Chinese Grammar