A1 noun Neutral #3,615 most common

西

nishi /niɕi/

Nishi refers to the cardinal direction 'west'. It is used to describe the location of places, directions on a map, or the path of celestial bodies like the sun setting.

Examples

3 of 5
1

私の家は駅の西にあります。

My house is to the west of the station.

2

西の方角から強い風が吹いています。

A strong wind is blowing from the western direction.

3

西の方は雨かな?

I wonder if it's raining out west?

Word Family

Noun
西
Adverb
西へ
Adjective
西の
Related
西洋
💡

Memory Tip

The kanji 西 looks like a bird sitting in a 'nest' (sounds like 'nishi') as the sun sets in the West.

Quick Quiz

太陽は___に沈みます。

Correct!

The correct answer is: 西

Examples

1

私の家は駅の西にあります。

everyday

My house is to the west of the station.

2

西の方角から強い風が吹いています。

formal

A strong wind is blowing from the western direction.

3

西の方は雨かな?

informal

I wonder if it's raining out west?

4

太陽は西に沈みます。

academic

The sun sets in the west.

5

西支店への転勤が決まりました。

business

A transfer to the West Branch has been decided.

Word Family

Noun
西
Adverb
西へ
Adjective
西の
Related
西洋

Common Collocations

西口 west exit
西風 west wind
西海岸 west coast
西日 the setting sun / afternoon sun
西向き west-facing

Common Phrases

西も東もわからない

to not know which way is up (literally: not knowing west or east)

太陽が西から昇る

when pigs fly (literally: the sun rises in the west)

西から東へ

from west to east

Often Confused With

西 vs

Learners confuse the shape of 'four' (四) with 'west' (西) because both are boxy kanji taught early on.

西 vs

This is the zodiac sign for 'Rooster'; it looks almost identical to 'west' but has an extra horizontal line inside.

📝

Usage Notes

When used alone, it is pronounced 'nishi'. In compound words like 'Kansai', it often changes its reading to 'sai' or 'zai'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Beginners often mix up 'nishi' (west) and 'higashi' (east). It helps to learn them as a pair or associate them with local landmarks.

💡

Memory Tip

The kanji 西 looks like a bird sitting in a 'nest' (sounds like 'nishi') as the sun sets in the West.

📖

Word Origin

Originally a pictograph of a bird's nest; birds return to their nests at sunset, which happens in the west.

Grammar Patterns

Usually followed by the particle 'no' to modify another noun (西の空 - western sky). Used with 'ni' to indicate location (駅の西に - at the west of the station).
🌍

Cultural Context

In Japan, the 'West' often specifically refers to the Kansai region, which has a distinct culture and dialect compared to the 'East' (Kanto/Tokyo).

Quick Quiz

太陽は___に沈みます。

Correct!

The correct answer is: 西

Related Words

学会

A1

An academic society or a professional organization where scholars and researchers share their findings. It also commonly refers to the specific academic conferences or meetings organized by these groups.

法人

A1

A legal entity or organization, such as a company or non-profit, that is recognized by law as having rights and duties similar to those of a person. It distinguishes a group or institution from an individual human being in legal and business matters.

組合

A1

A formal organization or association formed by individuals or groups with a common interest, most commonly referring to a labor union or a cooperative. It describes a collective body where members work together to achieve shared social, economic, or professional goals.

グループ

A1

A collection of people, animals, or things that are together or considered together. It is a loanword from English used to describe social circles, categorized items, or organized teams in various settings.

チーム

A1

A group of people working together toward a common goal, such as in sports, business, or a school project. It is a loanword from the English word 'team' and is used in almost identical contexts in Japanese.

地理

A1

Geography refers to the study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere, including the distribution of populations and resources. In daily life, it often describes the layout, terrain, or spatial understanding of a specific area or town.

地域

A1

A noun referring to a specific area, region, or district characterized by certain features or boundaries. It is commonly used to describe local communities or geographical sections within a larger city or country.

境界

A1

A physical or conceptual line that marks the limit or division between two areas, states, or things. It is used to describe where one thing ends and another begins, such as a land border or the division between work and private life.

都市

A1

A 'toshi' is a large and densely populated urban area that serves as a center for politics, economy, and culture. It is the formal term for 'city' or 'metropolis', typically used in administrative, geographical, or statistical contexts.

都会

A1

A noun referring to a large city or urban area characterized by high population density and modern infrastructure. It is often used to describe the bustling lifestyle or environment of a city in contrast to rural areas.

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