每天成语
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东奔西走

*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.

1. Basic Information

  • Pinyin: dōng bēn xī zǒu
  • English Translation: Running here and there (rushing about everywhere)
  • Idiom Composition: 「东」（East (representing one direction or 'everywhere')）＋「奔」（To run; to rush）＋「西」（West (representing another direction or 'everywhere')）＋「走」（To walk or run (in classical Chinese, this character often meant to run)）
  • Meaning: To rush about in all directions, often to achieve a specific goal or to make a living. It implies being extremely busy and constantly on the move, often involving significant effort or hardship.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「东奔西走」 contains the following nuances:

  • Emphasis through Directional Contrast: The characters 东 (dōng) and 西 (xī) do not refer to specific compass points here. Instead, they symbolize 'everywhere' or 'all directions.' This is a rhetorical device known as 互文 (hù wén), where the two parts of the phrase work together to emphasize the vast range of the movement.
  • Purposeful Activity: Unlike aimless wandering, 东奔西走 (dōng bēn xī zǒu) implies that the person has a specific mission, such as work, survival, or helping others, which necessitates their constant movement.

3. Usage

「东奔西走」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

  • Work and Livelihood: Most commonly used when someone is traveling to various places for business or to earn a living, often implying a sense of hardship.
    • Example:「为了养家糊口，他常年在外东奔西走。」
      （To support his family, he is rushing about everywhere all year round.）
  • Problem Solving or Support: Describes moving between different locations to achieve a specific objective, such as fundraising or handling administrative tasks.
    • Example:「为了筹集善款，志愿者们这几天一直在东奔西走。」
      （To raise funds, the volunteers have been running here and there for the past few days.）
  • Busy Daily Life: Refers to a state of being exhausted from having to visit multiple places in a short period.
    • Example:「这周我为了办手续东奔西走，累得不行。」
      （I've been running all over the place this week to handle paperwork, and I'm exhausted.）

Additional Examples:

  1. 父亲为了我的学费东奔西走，到处借钱。
    （My father rushed about everywhere and borrowed money from many places for my tuition.）
  2. 经过几个月的东奔西走，项目终于获得了批准。
    （After months of running here and there, the project was finally approved.）
  3. 他不愿过那种东奔西走的动荡生活，只想安稳度日。
    （He doesn't want to live that kind of unstable life of constantly being on the move; he just wants to live peacefully.）
  4. 记者们为了获取第一手新闻，整天东奔西走。
    （To get first-hand news, reporters rush about all day long.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

  • Structure: The 'East... West...' (东...西...) pattern is a classic structure in Chinese idioms used to express totality or widespread action. Examples include 东张西望 (dōng zhāng xī wàng), meaning to look around in all directions, and 东倒西歪 (dōng dǎo xī wāi), meaning to tilt or collapse in various directions.
  • Nuance of Hardship: While the idiom can simply mean being busy, it often carries a connotation of 'toil' or 'struggle,' particularly when used in the context of earning a living (生计 - shēng jì).
  • Comparison with Similar Idioms: While 走南闯北 (zǒu nán chuǎng běi) also involves traveling to many places, it often has a more positive or adventurous tone, suggesting a person is experienced and well-traveled. In contrast, 东奔西走 (dōng bēn xī zǒu) focuses more on the physical exertion and the busy nature of the tasks at hand.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

6. Summary

东奔西走 (dōng bēn xī zǒu) describes the act of rushing about everywhere for a purpose. While it literally means 'running east and walking west,' it figuratively represents a state of being constantly on the move, often reflecting the struggle to make ends meet or the effort required to solve complex problems.

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