1.
east, west, south, and north; the four cardinal directions
The four main compass directions considered as a set. Literally lists them in the Japanese order: east, west, south, north.
東西南北を覚えましょう。
Let's learn the four cardinal directions.
コンパスで東西南北を確認した。
I checked the cardinal directions with a compass.
日本語では方角を東西南北の順で言うのが一般的だ。
In Japanese, it is common to list the directions in the order east, west, south, north.
2.
all directions; everywhere
Used figuratively to mean 'in every direction' or 'all over the place.'
東西南北どこへでも行ける。
You can go anywhere in any direction.
東西南北から人が集まってきた。
People gathered from all directions.
彼は東西南北を旅して回り、各地の文化を学んだ。
He traveled in all directions and learned about the cultures of various regions.
The order of directions in Japanese is 東 (east), 西 (west), 南 (south), 北 (north) — different from the English convention of north, south, east, west. This four-character compound uses the on'yomi readings.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 東西南北の方角: the four cardinal directions
- 東西南北に広がる: to spread in all directions
- 東西南北がわからない: to not know which way is which
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 方角: direction, compass point — the general concept of direction
- 四方: four directions, all sides — similar meaning but less specific to compass directions
- 方位: compass bearing — more technical, used with compasses and navigation