In Chinese, we often use the word 东西 (dōngxi) to refer to all sorts of things like everyday objects, food, or even abstract ideas. But how can one little word cover such a wide range of meanings? And, does it have any other uses? Well, buckle up, because you’re about to learn why 东西 (dōngxi) is one of the most versatile Chinese words you’ll come across!

How Do Chinese People Use 东西 in Daily Life?

Let’s see how 东西 (dōngxi) works in real-life conversations. 

Use 东西 to Identify Objects

The easiest (and often the most pressing) question! Is it a 鸟 (niǎo, bird) or a 飞机 (fēijī, plane)? Ask away!

Use 东西 to Talk About Food

Here, 东西 means “food.” Yep, the same word that means “thing” can also refer to delicious bites! Whether you’re craving 巧克力 (qiǎokèlì, chocolate), 蛋糕 (dàngāo, cake), or 面条 (miàntiáo, noodles), it all counts as 东西 (dōngxi). It covers everything from snacks to meals!

For more food related vocabulary, check out this video! 

Use 东西 When Buying Things

 Wǒ qù mǎi dōngxi.
我    去  买    东西。

I’m going to buy something.

If you’re heading to the store, you can use this phrase. Whether you’re picking up 灯 (dēng, a lamp), 杯子 (bēizi, a cup), or 筷子 (kuàizi, chopsticks), it’s all 东西 (dōngxi). No need to list everything—this word has got you covered.

For more object related videos, check out this video:

Use 东西 for ‘Many Things’

Dōngxi hěn duō.
东西      很   多。 

There are many things here.

Picture this: your room is full of boxes, books, and random stuff. In this case, you’d use 东西 (dōngxi) to describe the “many things” in your space.

Zhèxiē dōngxi zhēn piàoliang.

这些      东西    真       漂亮。
These things are really beautiful.

Whether you’re talking about clothes, art, or random trinkets, 东西 (dōngxi) can describe anything that catches your eye. It’s a catch-all for inanimate objects.

Why Can 东西 Refer to Objects?

If you look in the dictionary, you’ll see that 东 (dōng) and 西 (xī) mean “east” and “west”. So how did 东西 (dōngxi) come to mean “objects”?

One well-known explanation dates back to the Han Dynasty, where two important cities, 东京 (Dōng jīng, lit. East Capital, located in what is now Luoyang) and 西京 (Xījīng, lit. West Capital, now known as Xi’an), were major trade hubs. 

People would travel between the two cities to buy and sell goods. Later dynasties developed markets known as the 东市 (dōng shì, East Market) and 西市 (xī shì, West Market), where a variety of goods were sold. Over time, 东西 (dōngxi) became shorthand for the goods traded between the east and west, and today, we use it to refer to almost any object. 

Important Tip: Be Careful Using 东西 to Refer to People!

As versatile as 东西 (dōngxi) is, be careful when using it to describe people. If you say 你不是个东西 (nǐ bú shì gè dōngxi), you’re not telling someone they’re “not a thing.” It’s actually an insult meaning, “You’re terrible,” or even “You’re trash!” So, use the word 东西 (dōngxi)  wisely and stick to objects!

And speaking of learning Chinese…

The word 东西 (dōngxi) is a perfect example of how fun and flexible Chinese can be! Whether you’re eating, shopping, or just admiring the beauty around you, 东西 (dōngxi) fits in perfectly. Why not try to use it in your next Chinese conversation to show off your Chinese skills? For more fun ways to learn Chinese, don’t forget to check out ChineseSkill. 

Finally, here’s quick question for you: 

Which one means “What is this thing?”

A 这是什么东西?

B 这是什么西东?

C 你是什么东西?

D 你是什么西东?