Meaning

Primary

All Directions

Alternatives

East West South North, Cardinal Directions

Word Type

noun, expression

Explanation

If something happens in the east, west, south, and north, then it's happening in all directions. What other directions are there? That's literally all of them.

This word usually appears in expressions like 東西南北を見る (to look in all directions). But it can also be used more literally to mean east west south north, aka the cardinal directions.

Reading

とうざいなんぼく
  • Miyuki
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This word uses on'yomi readings for all four kanji. You've seen those before, so this shouldn't be too hard. Just watch out for that double rendaku — さい changes to ざい and ほく changes to ぼく.

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 東西南北を見る

    to look in all directions

    東西南北を行き来する

    to come and go in all directions

    東西南北を旅する

    to travel in all directions

Context Sentences

東西南北に道があって、どちらに行こうかまよいました。

There were roads in all directions, and I couldn't decide which to take.

彼は東西南北を見回し、どこへ行けばいいのか考えました。

He looked in all directions, wondering where he should go.

東西南北に星がきらめき、夜空はまるで宝石箱のようでした。

Stars sparkled in all directions, and the night sky was like a jewelry box.

コンパスを使うと、東西南北のどちらの方角を向いているのかが分かります。

The compass will tell you which direction you are facing, east, west, south, or north.

Kanji Composition