Japanese meaning of 東奔西走
Reading:
とうほんせいそう (touhon seisou)
English Translation:
Running around in all directions to accomplish tasks
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Running around in all directions to accomplish tasks; being constantly busy.
あちこち奔走して物事を成し遂げようとすること。
Cultural Context:
Used in political, journalistic, and business contexts to describe tireless activity across regions or departments.
政界・取材・ビジネスで、各地を忙しく駆け回る様子を表す決まり文句。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase indicating running everywhere for a purpose, often with “する.”
Trap for English Speakers
May be taken as aimless wandering without the nuance of purposeful action.
Example
Basic Example
彼は仕事のために東奔西走している。
He is running around in all directions for work.
Applied Example
新規事業のために彼は東奔西走している。
He is running around in all directions for the new business.