東洋

• Reading: とうよう
• Romaji: touyou
• Kanji breakdown: 東 (tou/higashi) — east; 洋 (you) — ocean, Western-style
• Pronunciation: /toː.joː/

Meaning

The Orient; the East; Eastern civilisation. Refers to East and Southeast Asia.

A noun referring to the eastern world, primarily East Asia and Southeast Asia, in contrast to 西洋 (seiyou, the West/Occident). Common compounds: 東洋医学 (touyou igaku, Eastern medicine), 東洋文化 (touyou bunka, Eastern culture), 東洋人 (touyou-jin, an Asian person). While still used, some consider the East/West dichotomy outdated.

Examples

1. 東洋の文化に興味を持つ外国人が増えている。 More and more foreigners are becoming interested in Eastern culture.
2. 東洋医学では体全体のバランスを重視する。 In Eastern medicine, the balance of the whole body is emphasized.
3. 東洋と西洋の考え方の違いについてレポートを書いた。 I wrote a report about the differences between Eastern and Western ways of thinking.

Usage Guide

Context: culture, history, academic

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 東 (tou, east) and 洋 (you, ocean/western-style). Literally 'eastern ocean,' originally referring to the eastern seas and the lands around them. Coined in contrast to 西洋 (seiyou, western ocean).

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated