Japanese word

東

Pronunciation

Romajihigashi

Meaning

  • nouneast

Example

東へ歩きます。higashi e aru ki ma su

I walk east.

Illustration for 東 (east)

More examples

太陽は東から昇ります。tai yō wa higashi ka ra nobo ri ma su

The sun rises in the east.

Core concept

It marks the sunward side of a place or the direction extending from it.

Common phrases

  • 東へhigashi e

    eastward

Similar words

東側higashigawa: The eastern side of a place, area, or object.

Definition in Japanese

方位の一つで、日の出の方向に当たる方角。hō i no hito tsu de hi no de no hō kō ni a ta ru hō gaku

Word origin

The native Japanese word 東 (higashi) is traced to older ひむかし (himukashi), which refers to the direction of the sun, although the later change in form is not fully certain.

Usage tips

  • The word 東 (higashi) can label a side of a place, so 東口 (higashiguchi) means an eastern exit on station signs.

Opposites

Related words

  • 東向きhigashimukieast-facingnoun
  • 東寄りhigashiyorieastwardnoun

Word lists with this word