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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing the direction 'northwest' with 西北 (xīběi)

    Direction & Movement
    Location & Position

    Structure

    Place + 西北 + 方向/地区

    Explanation

    The word 西北 (xīběi) means northwest, combining 西 (west) and 北 (north). It is used to indicate direction or to describe the northwestern part of a region. In Chinese, compound directions place the secondary direction first, so 西北 literally reads 'west-north.'

    Examples

    • 风从西北方向吹来，带着一股寒意。

      fēng cóng xī běi fāng xiàng chuī lái, dài zhe yì gǔ hán yì.

      The wind is blowing from the northwest, carrying a chill.

    • 我老家在中国的西北地区。

      wǒ lǎo jiā zài zhōng guó de xī běi dì qū.

      My hometown is in the northwest region of China.

    • 往西北走大约两公里就能看到那座山。

      wǎng xī běi zǒu dà yuē liǎng gōng lǐ jiù néng kàn dào nà zuò shān.

      Walk about two kilometers to the northwest and you'll see that mountain.

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    Expressing the direction 'northwest' with 西北 (xīběi) | Chinese Grammar