1/17/13 Points of the Compass

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Home >> Chinese Newsletter >> General Chinese >> North by Northwest. (Elementary)
Jan 16
North by Northwest. (Elementary)
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Can you give directions in Chinese? If you and your Chinese friends were separated, could you tell them where to find you?
Let's take a look at a common scenario. This is Sam's first trip to Xi'an and his friend Li Ming is waiting for him at the train station.
Can Li Ming find Sam in the crowds?
Sam, n zi nli? W zho b do n
Li Ming: Sam

Sam, where are you? I can't find you
W zi huchzhn de bi x bian.
Sam:

I'm at the northwest end of the train station.
Nli?
Li Ming:

Where?
1/17/13 Points of the Compass
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Although "north" is (bi) and "west" is (x), and the literal meaning of northwest is (bi x), Li Ming, a native Chinese
speaker, cant understand Sam's directions. Why not? Where did Sam go wrong?
Actually, in Chinese, the order in which you say the points of the compass in Chinese is different from English. Instead of
northwest, Chinese people say "west-north," or (xbi). Similarly, southwest in Chinese isn't (nn x) but (xnn), or
"west-south."
Keep reading to find out why directions are given in this order.
(dng)
(dng) means east in English. We all know that the sun rises in the East, so, in the minds of Chinese people, east is the
symbol of life. It is warm, bright and brings about spring and vitality. So, Chinese people have a deep respect for the East, and this
is reflected in certain words. For example, " (dngji)" means "host;" " (fngdng)" means "landlord," and, if you have
ever lived or traveled in China, you know that some Chinese prefer a house with a gate facing east.
(x)
(x) means west. West is where the sun sets, so it symbolizes unlucky things, such as darkness, coldness, terror, death and so
on. (x) can be combined with other words, usually giving the phrase a negative meaning. For example, instead of saying
(s) which means to die, Chinese people say " (xq)," meaning "go west," or " (gux) which means "pass away."
After the above explanation, it should be easier to understand why Chinese put (dng) before (x) with directions. It is the
custom to put the more positive word in the first position. To help you remember this order, just think of the Chinese word for
"thing," which is (dngxi).
Example:
W q mi dinr dngxi


I'm going to buy some things.
(nn)
(nn) means south. A long time ago, Chinese people observed that trees and grass on the southern slope of a mountain
would grow very lush due to more time in the sun. For this reason, the south symbolizes life and luck in Chinese culture. For
example, if a house doesn't have doors facing the south or the east, Chinese people will try their best to have windows opened
towards the south.
(bi)
(bi) means north. Just as the ancient people observed how well plants grow on the southern side of a mountain, so too did
they observe that the northern side was dark and barren. So, when putting south and north together, the Chinese will always put
south in the first position.
Example:
W ji mnqin yu ytio nnbi l.


There is a south-north running road in front of my house.
You may also wonder that why one would say (xnn) instead of (nn x) although west symbolizes unlucky things.
The reason for this is (dng) and (x) are the directions of the sun rises and sets. So, we always put (dng) and
(x) in front.
Through the above explanation, do you know why we say (xbi) instead of (bix), and (xnn) instead of (nn
1/17/13 Points of the Compass
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x)?
Here is a list to help you:
(dngbi) northeast

(xnn) southwest

(xbi) northwest

(dngnn) southeast

Please do these exercises and show me if you can put (dng), (nn), (x) and (bi ) in their proper place.
1. Zhnggu zi Ynd de ______ bian.
______
China is to the______ of India.
A. (dng)
B. (nn)
C. (x)
D. (bi)
2. Whats the translation of the sentence I am in the Northwest of the school.
A. (W zi xuxio bi x bian.)
B. (W zi xuxio xbi bian.)
C. (W zi xuxio bi dng bian.)
D. (W zi xuxio dngbi bian.)
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