(nán) - south in Mandarin

nán

Traditional: 南

Line drawing of 南
Coloured illustration of 南
HSK 3
#4,154 by frequencyCore 5000

Translation

south

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Word origin

南 (nán) 'south' is generally taken to depict an early bell or hanging musical instrument. The character was borrowed for the sound to write the direction 'south', and that borrowed meaning became its fixed sense. Because traditional Chinese houses faced south, it carries warm and favoured associations.

Origin
pictograph (borrowed for sound)
Root
stylised drawing of a hanging bell-like instrument

Stroke order

Stroke order for 南

南

Examples

。

He lives on the south side of the city.

。

The weather in the south is fairly hot.

通tōng。

This road leads to the south.

南 (nán) means south.

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Mandarin · Free printables

南: worksheet, infographic and listicle

Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "南" (south): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.

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