西风

西風

xīfēng

noun #31,552

Meanings

1 west wind
2 autumn wind
3 (figurative) declining force; Western influence

Characters

Examples

古道西风瘦马。

Gǔ dào xīfēng shòu mǎ.

On the old road, in the west wind, a thin horse.

近年西风东渐，咖啡馆遍地开花。

Jìnnián xīfēng dōng jiàn, kāfēiguǎn biàndì kāihuā.

In recent years Western influence has crept eastward and cafes have sprung up everywhere.

Tips

culture

In classical Chinese poetry the west wind is a stock symbol of autumn, decline and melancholy — most famously in Ma Zhiyuan's 《天净沙·秋思》 'Autumn Thoughts' ('古道西风瘦马 — old road, west wind, thin horse'). The phrase 西风东渐 'west wind drifts east' refers to Western culture entering China since the late Qing.

Stroke Order

西 xī

风 fēng