(dōng xi) - thing, object, stuff in Mandarin
dōngxiTraditional: 東西
Translation
thing, object, stuff
Test yourself on 东西
Three quick questions. No account needed.
Know this word? Create a free account to track it.
Word origin
The word 东西 literally combines 东 'east' and 西 'west', the two directions standing in for 'things' in general, possibly because goods were once fetched from the eastern and western markets. 东 (traditional 東) is often read as a bundle tied at both ends; 西 is traditionally seen as a bird settling in its nest at sunset, hence west.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 东 (dōng, east) + 西 (xī, west)
Stroke order
东
西
Examples
？
What is on the table?
。
This thing is mine.
？
What did you buy?
。
There is nothing much in the fridge.
。
I am going to the supermarket to buy a few things.
东西 (dōng xi) means thing, object, stuff. It is used as a noun in everyday Mandarin speech.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(10)Add to review queue
Track this word in your spaced-repetition queue and be tested on it at the right interval.
Meet this word in a story
Every course has graded stories written only with words you have been taught, plus grammar drills, a games arcade and printable worksheets. Chapters 1 and 2 are free.
Chapters 1 and 2 free, forever. Plus: 7 days free, then $5 a month for all eleven languages.
Mandarin · Free printables
东西: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "东西" (thing, object, stuff): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
This word is taught in chapter 2, lesson 11: 东西, 快, 觉得 and 7 more words.