西()

HSK 16 strokes

the West

Stroke order animation

Character information

Pinyin
Meaning
the West; abbr. for Spain 西班牙[Xi1 ban1 ya2]; Spanish
Strokes
6
HSK level
HSK 1
Traditional
Same

Origin & structure

Where 西 comes from and how its parts fit together.

Pictograph⿻兀囗

A bird settling into its nest, representing sunset; compare 東

A drawing of the thing it names.

Made of

Parts are arranged overlaid.

How to write 西 step by step

6 strokes — each frame adds one stroke, shown in dark ink over the lighter ones.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6

Words with 西

Common words using 西 — tap any character to open its stroke-order page.

dōng西
HSK 1

east and west

Open 东西 page →
西běi
HSK 2

Northwest China (Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, Xinjiang)

Open 西北 page →
西nán
HSK 2

southwest

Open 西南 page →
西fāng
HSK 2

the West

Open 西方 page →
西
HSK 2

Western medicine

Open 西医 page →
西cān
HSK 2

Western-style food

Open 西餐 page →
西
HSK 3

western part

Open 西部 page →

Related characters

Ready to master 西?

Trace 西 stroke by stroke in the online practice tool, or turn it into a printable worksheet PDF with Tianzige practice grids, pinyin, and stroke-order breakdowns.