西
west, Spain
Readings
On'yomi
- セイ
- サイ
- ス
Kun'yomi
- にし
Nanori
- いり
- ひし
- むら
Meaning
西 centers on the direction west. The meaning 'Spain' is a modern abbreviation derived from the first character of 西班牙 (Spain), not a core conceptual extension.
Most common words using 西
22 of 322- 西にしN5
west
- 関西かんさいN2
Kansai (region comprising Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and surrounding prefectures)
- 西洋せいようN4
the West; the Occident; Western countries
- 西日本にしにほん
western Japan (usu. Chūbu region and westward)
- 東西とうざいN2
east and west
- 西部せいぶN1
western part; the west (of a region)
- 西側にしがわ
west side; west bank
- 北西ほくせいN1
northwest
- 西口にしぐち
west entrance; west exit
- 西瓜すいかN1
watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)
- 南西なんせいN1
southwest
- 西暦せいれきN2
Common Era; CE; Christian Era; anno domini; AD
- 西欧せいおうN3
Western Europe
- 西方せいほう
western direction
- 西南せいなん
south-west
- 西ドイツにしドイツ
West Germany (1949-1990); Federal Republic of Germany
- 西風にしかぜ
west wind
- 大西洋たいせいよう
Atlantic Ocean
- 西独せいどく
West Germany (1949-1990)
- 西洋人せいようじんN1
Western person; Westerner
- 関西人かんさいじん
person from the Kansai region; Kansai native
- 関西弁かんさいべん
Kansai dialect
Study
Etymology
西 is a pictograph of a bird settling into a nest, associated with sunset and the west. The modern form is stylized but retains the basic nest-like shape.
Meaning mnemonic
Picture a bird settling into its nest as the sun goes down in the west. The shape of 西 looks like a nest with a bird's head peeking out.
Reading mnemonic
For セイ, imagine the sun setting in the west and a voice saying 'say' goodbye to the day: say -> セイ.