各奔东西

各奔東西

gèbèn-dōngxī

idiom #33,261

Meanings

1 to go separate ways
2 to part ways (each heading off in their own direction)

Characters

to head for; rush toward

Examples

毕业后我们就各奔东西了。

Bìyè hòu wǒmen jiù gèbèn-dōngxī le.

After graduation we all went our separate ways.

战乱中一家人各奔东西。

Zhànluàn zhōng yìjiārén gèbèn-dōngxī.

In the war's chaos, the family scattered in every direction.

他们曾是好友，如今却各奔东西。

Tāmen céng shì hǎoyǒu, rújīn què gèbèn-dōngxī.

They were once close friends; now they've gone their separate ways.

Tips

usage

Literally 'each rushing east and west' - east and west stand in for 'different directions'. Often used about graduation, divorce, family scattering, or any breakup of a former group. Carries a wistful tone.

mistakes

Taiwan often pronounces 奔 as bēn (gèbēndōngxī) rather than bèn. Both are accepted; mainland standard is bèn here.

Stroke Order

各 gè

奔 bēn

东 dōng

西 xī