HSK · Level 12
135 words
Chinese word
四面八方
Pronunciation
Pinyinsì miàn bā fāng
Meaning
- adverbfrom all directions
Example
朋友们从四面八方来参加聚会。péng yǒu men cóng sì miàn bā fāng lái cān jiā jù huì
Friends came from all directions to attend the party.
More examples
节日的气氛来自四面八方，让城市热闹起来。jié rì de qì fēn lái zì sì miàn bā fāng ràng chéng shì rè nào qǐ lái
The festive atmosphere comes from all directions, making the city lively.
Core concept
One point gathers people, information, or objects arriving along many lines from its surroundings.
Common phrases
来自四面八方lái zì sì miàn bā fāng
come from all directions
向四面八方扩散xiàng sì miàn bā fāng kuò sàn
spread in all directions
蔓延到四面八方màn yán dào sì miàn bā fāng
spread to all directions
Similar words
到处dào chù: Throughout a place or area, showing that something is present or happens in all locations.
四处sì chù: Here and there around an area, showing movement or spreading among nearby places.
各处gè chù: At various places, showing that something exists or happens in separate locations.
Definition in Chinese
表示从四周各个方向或各处涌来，常用来形容人数、消息或事物来源广泛。biǎo shì cóng sì zhōu gè gè fāng xiàng huò gè chù yǒng lái cháng yòng lái xíng róng rén shù xiāo xī huò shì wù lái yuán guǎng fàn
Word origin
四面八方 (sìmiànbāfāng, "four sides and eight directions") combines 四面 (sìmiàn, "four sides") with 八方 (bāfāng, "eight directions"), using paired numbers to emphasize every surrounding direction.
Usage tips
- English speakers often expect a direction phrase to describe physical movement, but this word also describes information arriving from many sources.
Other meanings
- from everywhereadverb