Meaning
south
Chinese: 南方。
Hear the Four Tones
The same syllable “nan” becomes a different word in each tone. 南 is the 2nd tone. Tap any tone to hear a native voice and see its pitch shape.
Stroke Order
Tap Animate to watch the strokes in order, or Practice to trace it yourself.
Common Words
- 南边nán biansouth; south side; southern part; to the south of
- 南方nán fāngsouth; southern direction; (in China) southern regions, often referring to areas south of the Yangtze River
- 西南xī nánsouthwest
- 东南dōng nánsoutheast
- 南部nán bùsouthern part
Example Sentence
冬天很多鸟飞到南方过冬。Dōng tiān hěn duō niǎo fēi dào nán fāng guò dōng.In winter many birds fly south to spend the winter.
冬天Dōng tiānwinter很hěnvery多duōmany鸟niǎobird飞fēito fly到dàoto reach南方nán fāngsouth过冬guò dōngto get through the winter。
Go deeper
Where this character comes from
A pictograph, often read as a bell-shaped bronze instrument hung up. It was borrowed for the direction ‘south’ (南方, 南北, 指南).
A way to remember it
The direction ‘south’: 南方 (the south), 指南 (a guide).