西

• Reading: にし
• Romaji: nishi
• Kanji breakdown: 西 (nishi/sei/sai) — west
• Pronunciation: /ni.ɕi/

Meaning

West. One of the four cardinal directions, commonly used in place names and when giving directions.

A noun for the cardinal direction west. Frequently found in place names such as 西日本 (Nishi-Nihon, western Japan). Can be read as にし in native Japanese or せい/さい in Sino-Japanese compounds like 西洋 (seiyou, the West/Occident).

Examples

1. 太陽は西に沈みます。 The sun sets in the west.
2. 西口の改札で会いましょう。 Let's meet at the west exit ticket gate.
3. この道をまっすぐ行くと西に出ます。 If you go straight down this road, you'll come out on the west side.

Usage Guide

Context: directions, place names, geography

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 西 originally depicted a bird roosting at sunset, associating the character with the direction where the sun sets.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal