Chinese word

东西

Pronunciation

Pinyindōng xī

Meaning

  • nounthing

Example

这是我的东西。zhè shì wǒ de dōng xī

This is my stuff.

Illustration for 东西 (thing)

More examples

我今天想去买东西。wǒ jīn tiān xiǎng qù mǎi dōng xī

I want to go shopping today.

Core concept

A general pointer to whatever is in focus, whether it is a physical item, an idea, or a person.

Common phrases

  • 买东西mǎi dōng xī

    go shopping

  • 我的东西wǒ de dōng xī

    my things

  • 这个东西zhè ge dōng xī

    this thing

Definition in Chinese

用来指代具体的物品，也可泛指不确定的事物或概念，在句中常作名词或代词使用。yòng lái zhǐ dài jù tǐ de wù pǐn yě kě fàn zhǐ bú què dìng de shì wù huò gài niàn zài jù zhōng cháng zuò míng cí huò dài cí shǐ yòng

Word origin

东西 (dōngxī, "thing") joins the two opposite directions 东 (dōng, "east") and 西 (xī, "west"), suggesting everything across a full range and eventually things in general.

Usage tips

  • The form does not change for one item or several, because Chinese nouns usually show number through context or another word rather than a plural ending.

Other meanings

  • somethingpronoun
  • fellownoun

Related words

  • 小东西xiǎo dōng xīlittle thingnoun
  • 好东西hǎo dōng xīgood thingnoun

Word lists with this word