四海

sìhǎi

noun #22,439

Meanings

1 the four seas
2 all under heaven
3 the whole world
4 everywhere

Characters

Examples

HSK 6

他四海为家，走遍天下。

Tā sìhǎi wéi jiā, zǒubiàn tiānxià.

He regards the whole world as his home and has traveled everywhere.

HSK 7-9

四海之内皆兄弟。

Sìhǎi zhīnèi jiē xiōngdì.

Within the four seas, all men are brothers.

Tips

culture

In classical Chinese cosmology, China was seen as surrounded by four seas, representing the entire known world. 四海 thus became a poetic way to say 'everywhere' or 'all people.' The phrase 四海之内皆兄弟 comes from the Analects of Confucius.

Stroke Order

四 sì

海 hǎi