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西 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
西xīthe WestHSK 3, f, 6 strokes, radical 西, rank #1127, Easy
西xīwestHSK 3, f, 6 strokes, radical 西, rank #1127, Easy
西xīabbr. for Spain 西班牙[Xī bān yá]HSK 3, f, 6 strokes, radical 西, rank #1127, Easy
西xīSpanishHSK 3, f, 6 strokes, radical 西, rank #1127, Easy
西xīwest, western, westwardHSK 3, f, 6 strokes, radical 西, rank #1127, Easy
西xīabbr. for Spain 西班牙[Xi1 ban1 ya2]HSK 3, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 西, rank #1127, Easy
xī(xi1) T1
  1. 1the West
  2. 2west
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
西xī(xi1)

The character 西 (xī) means 'west' and refers to the direction opposite to east. It is commonly used in geographical contexts, as well as in phrases indicating western culture or products, such as 西方 (xī fāng) meaning 'the West'. Additionally, it serves as an abbreviation for Spain, 西班牙 (Xī bān yá).

Strokes6Radical西Frequency#1127DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 'the West' often encompasses Western philosophies, lifestyles, and influences, especially in contrast to traditional Chinese values. This dichotomy is evident in discussions about modernization and globalization.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large 'X' marking a treasure map leading to the West. The character 西 looks like a stylized 'X', symbolizing the direction where the sun sets. Picture a sunset over a western landscape, reinforcing the sound 'xī' with the image of the sun going down.

Meanings of 西

xī(xi1)
1the West
2west
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 西

西Simplified
6Strokes
西Radical
方位词direction word (dir.)Part of Speech
#1127Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 西

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Podcast: 西

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AI Study Notes for 西

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a large 'X' marking a treasure map leading to the West. The character 西 looks like a stylized 'X', symbolizing the direction where the sun sets. Picture a sunset over a western landscape, reinforcing the sound 'xī' with the image of the sun going down.

Usage Notes

西 is used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in geographical discussions. Learners often confuse it with the similar-sounding characters like 习 (xí) or 喜 (xǐ). It collocates well with words like 西方 (Western), 西部 (western region), and other directional terms.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 3 word, 西 connects well with other directional words like 东 (dōng, east), 南 (nán, south), and 北 (běi, north). Focus on using it in context with these words to enhance directional vocabulary.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 'the West' often encompasses Western philosophies, lifestyles, and influences, especially in contrast to traditional Chinese values. This dichotomy is evident in discussions about modernization and globalization.

Common Mistakes

Learners may mistakenly write 西 as 习, which means 'to practice'. Pay attention to the tone and remember that 西 (xī) specifically indicates the direction west.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 西

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Etymology of 西

Formation TypePictographic 象形
六书 ClassificationPictograph (象形字)~4% of characters
Explanation

Origin unclear. Variously explained as a bag or bird's nest.

Memory Hint

A bird settling into its nest, representing sunset; compare 東

Learn more about Pictograph (象形字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 西?

Decomposition of 西

IDS Structure⿻兀囗
西Full Character
=
兀Wu4
outer
囗wei2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 西?

Write 西

西

Practice writing 西 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 西

西 carries 6 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

这个网站的东____很便宜。

Stuff on this website is very cheap.

Example Sentences for 西 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
她直奔西蒙的房间，敲了敲门。

tā zhí bēn xī mēng de fáng jiān， ， qiāo le qiāo。

She went directly to Simon's apartment and knocked on the door.
2
露西的冷淡与世故使得巴里十分不快。

lòu xī de lěng dàn yǔ shì gù shǐ dé bā lǐ shí fēn bù kuài。

Barry had his nose put out of joint by Lucy's aloof sophistication.
3
你只是在背诵自己死记硬背下来的东西。

nǐ zhī shì zài bèi sòng zì jǐ sǐ jì yìng bèi xià lái de dōng xī。

You are merely reciting facts that you have learned by rote.
4
然后，他忽然露出笑容，说道：“我给你带了一样东西。”

rán hòu， ， tā hū rán lòu chū xiào， róng ，：“ shuō dào ：“ wǒ gěi nǐ dài le yī。”

Then, breaking into a smile, he said, "I brought you something."
5
你到底是怎么发现这种东西的？

nǐ dào dǐ shì zěn mó fā xiàn zhè zhǒng dōng xī de？

How do you actually go about discovering a thing like that?
6
你真的认为我能够得到我想要的东西么？

nǐ zhēn de rèn wéi wǒ néng gòu dé dào wǒ xiǎng yào de dōng xī mó？

Do you really think I could get the exact thing I want?
7
别告诉我你仍旧相信那些东西。

bié gào sù wǒ nǐ réng jiù xiāng xìn nà xiē dōng xī。

Don't tell me you still believe in all that stuff?
8
才智不是生活中最重要的东西。

cái zhì bù shì shēng huó zhōng zuì zhòng yào de dōng xī。

The intellect is not the most important thing in life.
9
法国西南部的这个地区是干红葡萄酒的产地。

fǎ guó xī nán bù de zhè gè dì qū shì gān hóng pú táo jiǔ de chǎn dì。

This south-west region of France is the home of claret.
10
西班牙的当务之急是签署《欧洲经济和货币联盟条约》。

xī bān yá de dāng wù zhī jí shì qiān shǔ《 《 ōu zhōu jīng jì hé huò bì lián méng tiáo》。

Spain's top priority is the signing of an EMU treaty.

Cultural Notes for 西

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of 'the West' often encompasses Western philosophies, lifestyles, and influences, especially in contrast to traditional Chinese values. This dichotomy is evident in discussions about modernization and globalization.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, the term 'the West' usually refers to Europe and North America, while in Chinese culture, it can imply a broader range of Western influences, including Latin America.

Word Family of 西

Compounds13
牺xi1sacrifice
茜qian4reed, madder; Rubia cordifolia
晒shai4variant of 曬
洒sa3to sprinkle
栖qi1perch, roost, to stay
迺
硒xi1selenium
酉you3wine; wine vessel; chemical
哂shen3to smile; to laugh at; to sneer
垔yin1to restrain; to dam a stream and change its direction; a mound
粞xi1ground rice; to thresh rice
梄
舾xi1equipment onboard a ship
Words Containing This Character20
东西dōngxithing東西
西xīwest
西部xībùwestern part
西方xīfāngthe West
西班牙Spain
墨西哥Mexico
巴西Brazil
西安Xi'an district of Liaoyuan city 遼源市|辽源市, Jilin
广西until 1959, Guangxi province廣西
西藏Tibet
山西Shanxi province (Shansi) in north China between Hebei and Shaanxi, abbr. 晋 capital Taiyuan 太原
江西Jiangxi province (Kiangsi) in southeast China, abbr. 赣, capital Nanchang 南昌
西南xīnánsouthwest
陕西Shaanxi province (Shensi) in northwest China, abbr. 陝|陕[Shǎn], capital Xi’an 西安市[Xī​'ān​Shì]陝西
西装xīzhuāngsuit西裝
西德West Germany
西北xīběiNorthwest China (Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, Xinjiang)
马来西亚Malaysia馬來西亞
西班牙语xībānyáyǔSpanish language西班牙語
西瓜xīguāwatermelon
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 牺 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 西

It is pronounced as 'xī', with a high, level tone.