east

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 東 has 8 strokes and refers to the east.
• Basic usage: The standalone word 東 is read ひがし, while 東西, east and west, is read とうざい.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Direction and regional contrast
  • 東の空 means the eastern sky, and 東へ進む means moving eastward. へ marks the direction of movement.
  • 東西の文化 refers to Eastern and Western cultures together. 東西 can contrast regions as well as express directions.