HSK 7-9
东A西B
dōng A xī B
A here and B there; doing things randomly
Structure
东 + Verb/Noun (A) + 西 + Verb/Noun (B)
How it works
This idiom structure is used to describe actions or states that are scattered, disorganized, or performed in a random, directionless manner. The letters 'A' and 'B' are usually occupied by monosyllabic verbs or nouns that are often related or synonymous. It emphasizes a lack of focus or a chaotic distribution.
Examples
他在会上总是东拉西扯，半天也进不了正题。
Tā zài huìshàng zǒngshì dōnglā-xīchě, bàntiān yě jìnbùliǎo zhèngtí.
At meetings, he always talks about this and that, failing to get to the main point for a long time.
孩子把玩具弄得东倒西歪，满地都是。
Háizi bǎ wánjù nòng de dōngdǎo-xīwāi, mǎndì dōu shì.
The child left the toys tilting east and falling west; they were all over the floor.
他在书店里东敲西看，却什么也没买。
Tā zài shūdiàn lǐ dōngqiāo-xīkàn, què shénme yě méi mǎi.
He looked around here and there in the bookstore but didn't buy anything.
Common mistakes
Do not use antonyms for A and B that suggest a logical sequence (like 'beginning' and 'end'); the components should imply randomness or lack of order.
Tip
Think of '东' (East) and '西' (West) as representing 'here and there' rather than literal cardinal directions.
More HSK 7-9 grammar
See 东A西B in real Chinese
Import an article and tap any sentence using it. The explanation comes back about the sentence in front of you, not a textbook example.
Try InputDojo free