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东张西望 (dōng zhāng xī wàng) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 7

东张西望 (dōng zhāng xī wàng) is a Chinese word: look around in all directions. This page shows its pinyin, translation, example sentences, character breakdown, decomposition, and HSK level.

Meaning of 东张西望

成语 chéng yǔ idiom

look around in all directions

他在人群中东张西望，好像在找人。

tā zài rén qún zhōng dōng zhāng xī wàng hǎo xiàng zài zhǎo rén

He looked around in all directions in the crowd, as if searching for someone.

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Word breakdown

东 dōng — east (representing one direction)

Words with this character (9)
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  • 6 房东 fáng dōng — landlord HSK 4
    • 房 house, property, dwelling
    • 东 owner, master (of property)
    Example

    房东每个月来收租金。

    fáng dōng měi gè yuè lái shōu zū jīn

    The landlord comes to collect rent every month.

  • 7 东奔西走 dōng bēn xī zǒu — to rush about everywhere HSK 7
    • 东 east (representing one direction)
    • 奔 rush/run (conveys hurried movement)
    • 西 west (represents opposite direction)
    • 走 go/walk (emphasizes continuous movement)
    Example

    他为了找工作东奔西走了好几个月。

    tā wèi le zhǎo gōng zuò dōng bēn xī zǒu le hǎo jǐ gè yuè

    He rushed about everywhere for several months looking for work.

  • 8 东道主 dōng dào zhǔ — host HSK 7
    • 东 east (from historical origin, now part of idiomatic expression for host)
    • 道 road (from historical 'eastern road', now part of idiomatic expression)
    • 主 master, host (the core meaning indicating the one who hosts)
    Example

    中国作为东道主欢迎各国代表参加会议。

    Zhōng guó zuò wéi dōng dào zhǔ huān yíng gè guó dài biǎo cān jiā huì yì

    China, as the host, welcomes representatives from various countries to attend the conference.

  • 9 股东 gǔ dōng — shareholder HSK 7
    • 股 share, stock
    • 东 owner, holder
    Example

    他是这家公司的大股东。

    tā shì zhè jiā gōng sī de dà gǔ dōng

    He is a major shareholder of this company.

张 zhāng — look, gaze (first looking action)

Words with this character (11)
  • 1 紧张 jǐn zhāng — nervous HSK 4
    • 紧 tight, constricted
    • 张 stretched, taut
    Example

    我第一次演讲时很紧张。

    wǒ dì yī cì yǎn jiǎng shí hěn jǐn zhāng

    I was very nervous when I gave my first speech.

  • 2 主张 zhǔ zhāng — to advocate HSK 6
    • 主 main, primary (indicates the principal stance)
    • 张 to advocate, to put forward (indicates proposing or advocating)
    Example

    我们主张和平解决争端。

    wǒ men zhǔ zhāng hé píng jiě jué zhēng duān

    We advocate for peaceful resolution of disputes.

  • 3 夸张 kuā zhāng — exaggerated HSK 6
    • 夸 to boast, to praise excessively
    • 张 to stretch, to expand
    Example

    他说的话太夸张了。

    tā shuō de huà tài kuā zhāng le

    What he said is too exaggerated.

  • 4 伸张 shēn zhāng — to uphold, to promote, to assert HSK 7
    • 伸 to stretch, to extend
    • 张 to spread, to expand
    Example

    我们要伸张正义。

    wǒ men yào shēn zhāng zhèng yì

    We must uphold justice.

  • 5 嚣张 xiāo zhāng — arrogant HSK 7
    • 嚣 clamorous, boisterous (conveys the loud, aggressive aspect)
    • 张 to spread out, to display ostentatiously (conveys the showy, exaggerated behavior)
    Example

    那个人太嚣张了，没人喜欢他。

    nà ge rén tài xiāo zhāng le méi rén xǐ huan tā

    That person is too arrogant, nobody likes him.

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西 xī — west (representing opposite direction)

Words with this character (10)
  • 1 东西 dōng xi — thing HSK 1
    • 东 part of idiomatic compound meaning 'thing'
    • 西 part of idiomatic compound meaning 'thing'
    Example

    我买了一些东西。

    wǒ mǎi le yī xiē dōng xi

    I bought some things.

  • 2 西北 xī běi — northwest HSK 3
    Example

    中国西北地区气候干燥。

    Zhōng guó xī běi dì qū qì hòu gān zào

    The climate in northwestern China is dry.

  • 3 西南 xī nán — southwest HSK 3
    Example

    西南地区的气候很温暖。

    xī nán dì qū de qì hòu hěn wēn nuǎn

    The climate in the southwest region is very warm.

  • 4 西方 xī fāng — the West HSK 3
    • 西 west
    • 方 direction, region
    Example

    西方文化对世界产生了深远的影响。

    xī fāng wén huà duì shì jiè chǎn shēng le shēn yuǎn de yǐng xiǎng

    Western culture has had a profound influence on the world.

  • 5 西瓜 xī guā — watermelon HSK 3
    • 西 west (indicating the fruit's origin from the west)
    • 瓜 melon (the type of fruit)
    Example

    夏天我喜欢吃西瓜。

    xià tiān wǒ xǐ huan chī xī guā

    I like to eat watermelon in summer.

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  • 6 西红柿 xī hóng shì — tomato HSK 4
    • 西 western (indicating foreign origin)
    • 红 red (describing the color)
    • 柿 persimmon (referencing shape similarity)
    Example

    我喜欢吃西红柿炒鸡蛋。

    wǒ xǐ huan chī xī hóng shì chǎo jī dàn

    I like to eat tomato scrambled eggs.

  • 7 西部 xī bù — western region HSK 4
    • 西 west, western direction
    • 部 part, region, section
    Example

    中国西部有很多山。

    Zhōng guó xī bù yǒu hěn duō shān

    China's western region has many mountains.

  • 8 西装 xī zhuāng — suit HSK 5
    • 西 western, indicating Western/European origin
    • 装 clothing, attire, the garment itself
    Example

    他今天穿了一套西装去面试。

    tā jīn tiān chuān le yí tào xī zhuāng qù miàn shì

    He wore a suit to the interview today.

  • 9 西餐 xī cān — Western food HSK 5
    Example

    我喜欢吃西餐。

    wǒ xǐ huan chī xī cān

    I like to eat Western food.

  • 10 东奔西走 dōng bēn xī zǒu — to rush about everywhere HSK 7
    • 东 east (representing one direction)
    • 奔 rush/run (conveys hurried movement)
    • 西 west (represents opposite direction)
    • 走 go/walk (emphasizes continuous movement)
    Example

    他为了找工作东奔西走了好几个月。

    tā wèi le zhǎo gōng zuò dōng bēn xī zǒu le hǎo jǐ gè yuè

    He rushed about everywhere for several months looking for work.

望 wàng — gaze into distance (second looking action)

Words with this character (21)
  • 1 希望 xī wàng — to hope HSK 2
    • 希 hope, wish
    • 望 expectation, to look forward to
    Example

    我希望明天天气好。

    wǒ xī wàng míng tiān tiān qì hǎo

    I hope the weather will be good tomorrow.

  • 2 失望 shī wàng — disappointed HSK 4
    • 失 to lose, to fail to achieve
    • 望 hope, expectation
    Example

    他对考试结果感到失望。

    tā duì kǎo shì jié guǒ gǎn dào shī wàng

    He felt disappointed about the exam results.

  • 3 愿望 yuàn wàng — wish HSK 5
    • 愿 wish, willing, desire
    • 望 hope, expectation, looking forward to
    Example

    我们都希望你的愿望能实现。

    wǒ men dōu xī wàng nǐ de yuàn wàng néng shí xiàn

    We all hope your wish can come true.

  • 4 看望 kàn wàng — to visit (someone) HSK 5
    • 看 to look at, to see
    • 望 to gaze toward (with care and concern)
    Example

    我明天去看望生病的奶奶。

    wǒ míng tiān qù kàn wàng shēng bìng de nǎi nai

    I will visit my sick grandmother tomorrow.

  • 5 期望 qī wàng — to expect HSK 6
    • 期 anticipated time, expectation
    • 望 to hope, to look forward to
    Example

    父母期望孩子能够成功。

    fù mǔ qī wàng hái zi néng gòu chéng gōng

    Parents expect their children to succeed.

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Structure & writing
1 东 dōng — east (one of the four cardinal directions, the side where the sun rises, opposite of 'west')
东 is a component in 3 characters
HSK 5
冻 dòng to freeze (of a liquid or water-containing substance)
HSK 6
栋 dòng ridgepole or main beam of a house
HSK 7
陈 chén to place; to arrange; to display

东 is an atomic character — it does not decompose further.

Stroke order

2 张 zhāng — to open or spread out something closed or contracted
张 is a component in 1 characters
HSK 5
涨 zhǎng to rise (of water level)

consists of

2.1 弓 gōng — bow (weapon for shooting arrows or projectiles)
弓 is a component in 14 characters
HSK 3
张 zhāng to open or spread out something closed or contracted
HSK 4
引 yǐn to pull; to tug 弹 tán use the elasticity of one object to propel another 强 qiáng strong, powerful (opposite of 'weak')
HSK 5
弯 wān not straight; curved 弱 ruò weak in strength or power (opposite of 强)
HSK 6
弥 mí full; all over 粥 zhōu porridge; congee (semi-liquid food made by boiling grains)
HSK 7
夷 yí flat; peaceful 弘 hóng a surname 弛 chí (lit.) to relax; to loosen 弦 xián bowstring (elastic cord strung between the two ends of a bow, usually made of sinew) 疆 jiāng border, boundary
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躬 gōng personally; in person
2.2 长 cháng — long (of distance or duration); opposite of 'short'
Xpinyin
长 is a component in 4 characters
HSK 3
张 zhāng to open or spread out something closed or contracted
HSK 4
账 zhàng record of financial transactions
HSK 7
帐 zhàng curtain; canopy; tent (made of cloth or other material for shelter) 胀 zhàng to swell, expand in volume (opposite of 缩)

Stroke order

3 西 xī — west (one of the four cardinal directions, the side where the sun sets; opposite of '东')
西 is a component in 4 characters
HSK 5
晒 shài （of the sun）to shine on something 洒 sǎ to sprinkle or scatter water or other things on the ground
HSK 7
栖 qī to perch (originally of birds on trees); broadly, to dwell or stay 牺 xī (lit.) sacrificial animal of pure coat color

consists of

3.1 兀 wù — towering and prominent
兀 is a component in 4 characters
HSK 1
元 yuán the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), founded by Kublai Khan 西 xī west (one of the four cardinal directions, the side where the sun sets; opposite of '东')
HSK 4
光 guāng light (visible or invisible radiation such as sunlight, lamplight, moonlight, infrared or ultraviolet rays); also called 光波 or 光线 微 wēi tiny; slight
3.2 囗 wéi — enclosure, surrounding boundary
囗 is a component in 16 characters
HSK 1
回 huí to wind, circle, or rotate 国 guó country; nation; state 西 xī west (one of the four cardinal directions, the side where the sun sets; opposite of '东')
HSK 2
因 yīn cause; reason (opposite of 果)
HSK 3
园 yuán garden (for growing vegetables, flowers, or fruit) 图 tú image depicted by drawing or painting
HSK 4
困 kùn to be trapped in hardship or difficulty; unable to break free from circumstances 围 wéi to surround; to encircle
HSK 5
团 tuán round; circular 固 gù firm; sturdy 圆 yuán plane figure enclosed by a circle
HSK 6
圈 quān circular route; loop; lap 菌 jūn microorganism (bacteria, fungi, mold, etc.); esp. pathogenic bacteria
HSK 7
卤 lǔ bittern; the bitter black liquid remaining after salt crystallization, a mixture of magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, magnesium bromide, and sodium chloride 囚 qiú to imprison; to incarcerate 囱 cōng chimney; flue for stove or boiler

Stroke order

4 望 wàng — to look, to look into the distance

望 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

4.1 亡 wáng — to flee; to run away
亡 is a component in 8 characters
HSK 1
忙 máng busy, occupied (opposite of '闲')
HSK 2
忘 wàng to forget, fail to remember, omit 望 wàng to look, to look into the distance
HSK 6
盲 máng blind; unable to see
HSK 7
妄 wàng absurd, irrational, wild 氓 máng see "流氓": ① vagrant; rogue or hooligan; ② indecent behavior such as harassing women 芒 máng a perennial herb (Miscanthus sinensis) growing in hills and fields, with linear leaves, brownish-yellow panicles in autumn, and hairy fruits 茫 máng vast and boundless, indistinct
4.2 月 yuè — the moon, Earth's natural satellite
月 is a component in 17 characters
HSK 1
前 qián front; the direction one faces (opposite of 后) 明 míng bright; light (opposite of "dark") 朋 péng friend; companion 服 fú clothing; garment 期 qī scheduled date; deadline
HSK 2
望 wàng to look, to look into the distance 阴 yīn the moon (太阴)
HSK 4
钥 yào key 青 qīng black
HSK 5
朝 cháo imperial court; the place where the emperor holds court and issues decrees; also refers to being in power, opposite of '野'
HSK 6
朗 lǎng bright, well-lit
HSK 7
惰 duò lazy, sluggish; opposite of 勤 朦 méng dim, hazy (as in 朦胧: dim moonlight or blurry, indistinct) 甩 shuǎi to swing; to wave 胧 lóng dim moonlight; hazy, indistinct (as in 朦胧) 腾 téng to run or leap
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霸 bà leader of a feudal alliance in ancient China
4.3 王 wáng — monarch; supreme ruler
王 is a component in 33 characters
HSK 1
玩 wán to play (a game) 现 xiàn to appear; to show; to manifest 班 bān a group organized for work or study
HSK 2
望 wàng to look, to look into the distance 球 qiú sphere (geometric solid equidistant from center to all surface points)
HSK 3
丢 diū to lose; to misplace 主 zhǔ owner; one who possesses property or power 环 huán ring-shaped object 理 lǐ to govern; to manage; to administer
HSK 4
琴 qín guqin, a plucked string instrument made of paulownia wood, originally with five strings, later seven
HSK 5
润 rùn to moisten; to add oil or water to prevent dryness 狂 kuáng mentally deranged; insane; mad 玉 yù jade; a fine-grained, hard, lustrous mineral used for ornaments and carvings 玫 méi (lit.) a type of beautiful stone or jade 玻 bō see "玻璃": a hard, brittle, transparent material with no fixed melting point, made by melting quartz sand, limestone, soda ash, etc. at high temperature
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珍 zhēn treasure; precious thing 瑰 guī (lit.) a jade-like stone 璃 li see '玻璃': ① hard, brittle transparent material (glass); ② glass-like plastic
HSK 6
呈 chéng to take on (a form, color, or state); to appear as 珠 zhū pearl (also written 真珠), a lustrous spherical gem formed inside certain freshwater or marine mollusks, used in medicine and as an ornament 皇 huáng monarch; emperor
HSK 7
噩 è frightful and ominous; horrifying and inauspicious 斑 bān spots or stripes of a contrasting color 旺 wàng prosperous; flourishing; (of fire) blazing fiercely 枉 wǎng crooked, bent; referring to error or deviation 汪 wāng (lit.) deep and vast (of water)
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琐 suǒ trivial, trifling, petty 琢 zuó to ponder repeatedly; to mull over (见"琢磨") 瑕 xiá flaw or blemish in jade; fig. defect or shortcoming 瑞 ruì auspicious omen; good luck 璀 cuǐ (lit.) bright and brilliant in color 璨 càn (lit.) fine jade 碧 bì (lit.) blue-green jade

Stroke order