west

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on readings of 西 are せい and さい, and its kun reading is にし. It has 6 strokes and relates to the western direction.
• Basic usage: 西 is read にし, and 西洋 is read せいよう.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 西 and 西洋
  • 西 means west.
  • 太陽が西の山へ沈んでいく。 means “The sun is setting behind the western mountains.”
  • 西洋 means the West or Western.
  • 祖父の書斎には西洋の歴史を扱う本が多い。 means “My grandfather's study contains many books on Western history.”