東西(とうざい)

とうざい
noun
east and west
direction
See also: 南北(なんぼく) (north and south)
1. east and west
East and west as directions, or East and West as cultures; in set phrases, everywhere.
東西(とうざい)の文化(ぶんか)。
Eastern and Western cultures.
東西(とうざい)南北(なんぼく)に広(ひろ)がる。
It spreads in all directions.
東西(とうざい)文化(ぶんか)の交流(こうりゅう)が進(すす)んでいる。
Cultural exchange between East and West is advancing.
古今(ここん)東西(とうざい)、親(おや)が子(こ)を思(おも)う気持(きも)ちは同(おな)じだ。
In all times and places, the feelings of parents for their children are the same.
この国(くに)は東西(とうざい)に長(なが)く、気候(きこう)が地域(ちいき)によって大(おお)きく違(ちが)う。
This country stretches from east to west, and the climate varies greatly by region.

Common expressions

  • 東西(とうざい)南北(なんぼく): north, south, east and west; in all directions
  • 東西(とうざい)文化(ぶんか): Eastern and Western cultures
  • 古今(ここん)東西(とうざい): in all times and places
  • 東西(とうざい)に長(なが)い: long from east to west

Cultural note

In kabuki, bunraku and sumo ceremonies, a formal announcement opens with the call 東西(とざい)、東西(とうざい) ("Hear ye, hear ye"), with the first word shortened to とざい.

Related words

core
Added 2026.1.14 9:33 · Revised 2026.10.5 4:37
04500/04554_touzai