各奔东西

各奔東西

gèbèndōngxī

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 gèbèndōngxī le.

After graduation we all went our separate ways.

战乱中一家人各奔东西。

Zhànluàn zhōng yī jiā rén gèbèndōngxī.

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 gèbèndōngxī.

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