Phrases with the structure 东A西B and 左A右B
东 means "east" and 西 means "west", whereas 左 means "left" and 右 means "right". However, in phrases with the structure 东A西B and 左A右B, they have other meanings.
In the structure 东A西B 
, we replace "A" and "B" with one-syllable words that have similar meanings. They denote the repetition of an action.
, we replace "A" and "B" with one-syllable words that have similar meanings. They denote the repetition of an action.
Pay attention
These morphemes often cannot be used independently.
Phrases with the structure 东A西B are set expressions that need to be memorized.
Here are some examples of these set expressions:
东拉西扯
东奔西走
东倒西歪
东食西宿
东张西望
东躲西藏
东奔西走
东倒西歪
东食西宿
东张西望
东躲西藏 Examples
那个女孩站在路口，东张西望，看起来迷路的样子
That girl looked lost. She stood on the street corner and looked around
nà ge nǚhái zhàn zài lùkǒu, dōng zhāng xī wàng, kànqǐlai mílù de yàngzi
Phrases with the structure 左A右B are used in the same way as phrases with the 东A西B structure. They are set expressions that need to be memorized.
are used in the same way as phrases with the 东A西B structure. They are set expressions that need to be memorized.Here are some examples of these set expressions:
左说右说
左膀右臂
左辅右弼
左提右挈
左支右绌
左支右吾
左膀右臂
左辅右弼
左提右挈
左支右绌
左支右吾