東西(とうざい)

とうざい
noun
east and west
See also: 南北(なんぼく) (north and south)
1. east and west
The two cardinal directions; or a comparison between Eastern and Western cultures.
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.
2. attention! (interjection)
A call for attention, used at the beginning of announcements in traditional performances.
東西(とうざい)、東西(とうざい)！
Attention, attention!
Traditional call at kabuki or sumo events
相撲(すもう)の会場(かいじょう)で「東西(とうざい)」の声(こえ)が響(ひび)いた。
The call of "Touzai!" echoed through the sumo arena.
「東西(とうざい)、東西(とうざい)」と呼(よ)びかけて、歌舞伎(かぶき)の演目(えんもく)が始(はじ)まった。
With the call of "Touzai, touzai," the kabuki performance began.
落語(らくご)の舞台(ぶたい)で「東西(とうざい)」の掛(か)け声(ごえ)がかかると、客席(きゃくせき)が静(しず)まった。
When the call "Touzai" rang out at the rakugo stage, the audience fell silent.
昔(むかし)から日本(にほん)の伝統(でんとう)芸能(げいのう)では、「東西(とうざい)」と言(い)って観客(かんきゃく)の注意(ちゅうい)を引(ひ)く習慣(しゅうかん)がある。
Since long ago, there has been a custom in Japanese traditional performing arts of saying "Touzai" to get the audience's attention.

東西(とうざい) means east and west, or is used as an attention-getting call.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

TRADITIONAL USE:
「東西(とうざい)、東西(とうざい)！」is called out to get the audience's attention before announcements at traditional events like kabuki or sumo.

CONTRAST:

[Register: Neutral]

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Added 2026.1.14 9:33 · Revised 2026.6.1 23:10
04500/04554_touzai