西

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 西 is read as にし and is a noun for west, the direction in which the sun sets.
• Basic usage: Modifying western mountains appears in 西の山, while walking west from a station appears in 駅から西へ歩く.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Noun modification and direction
  • Use 西の山 when west modifies a noun and 西へ歩く when it marks a direction of movement.