Chinese word

东奔西走

Pronunciation

Pinyindōng bēn xī zǒu

Meaning

  • idiomrun around

Example

东奔西走为了准备演出，他忙了一个月。dōng bēn xī zǒu wèi le zhǔn bèi yǎn chū tā máng le yí gè yuè

To prepare for the performance, he ran around for a month.

Illustration for 东奔西走 (run around)

More examples

疫情期间，他不能东奔西走，只能在家工作。yì qíng qī jiān tā bù néng dōng bēn xī zǒu zhǐ néng zài jiā gōng zuò

During the pandemic, he could not run around and could only work from home.

Core concept

It pictures someone crossing from one place to another again and again to get something done.

Common phrases

  • 东奔西走的日子dōng bēn xī zǒu de rì zi

    days spent running around

Similar words

四处奔走sì chù bēn zǒu: Going around many places to handle a task or errand.
奔波劳碌bēn bō láo lù: Spending a tiring, busy time traveling around for work or daily life.
跑前跑后pǎo qián pǎo hòu: Running around to prepare things and clean up for someone else.
跑来跑去pǎo lái pǎo qù: Moving back and forth between places again and again.

Definition in Chinese

形容在不同地方来回奔波，通常带有为达成某事而忙碌的含义。xíng róng zài bù tóng dì fāng lái huí bēn bō tōng cháng dài yǒu wéi dá chéng mǒu shì ér máng lù de hán yì

Word origin

东奔西走 (dōngbēnxīzǒu, "run around") sets east against west and joins two movement verbs to create a vivid picture of going from place to place for a purpose.

Usage tips

  • It suits purposeful trips such as handling paperwork across town, but not relaxed sightseeing, because it highlights busy effort.

Opposites

  • 安居乐业ān jū lè yèlive peacefully and work happilyidiom

Related words

  • 奔走bēn zǒurun aroundverb
  • 奔波bēn bōtravel around tirelesslyverb

Word lists with this word