西边

• Pinyin: xī bian
• Hanzi breakdown: 西 = west (pictograph of a bird nesting at sunset); 边 = side/edge

Meaning

West side; the west. Used to indicate the western direction or area of a location.

A location word formed by adding 边 (side) to the direction 西 (west). Used in the same pattern as other direction-location words: 东边, 南边, 北边. Commonly used when giving or asking for directions.

Examples

1. 超市在银行的西边。 The supermarket is to the west of the bank.
2. 我家在学校的西边。 My home is to the west of the school.
3. 西边的天空很红。 The sky to the west is very red.

Usage Guide

Context: direction, location

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 图书馆在商场的西边。(The library is to the west of the mall.)
• 你家在哪个方向？在西边。(Which direction is your home? To the west.)

Don't Say

• 在西边的走。(Wrong — say 往西边走; use 往 before direction words when describing movement)

Origin & History

A compound of 西 (west) and 边 (side/edge), forming a directional location word meaning 'the west side.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal