Kanji 南: south

Key takeaways

Kanji 南: south. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

南

Meaning

south

On reading

ナンナ

Kun reading

みなみ

Radical

十

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 南

south

Kanji structure breakdown

南

Structure breakdown

十 + 冂 + 干

Mnemonic story

Ten (十) soldiers stand at the borders (冂) with shields (干) to protect the warm southern lands. Visualize a strong defensive line guarding the south (南).

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

ナン

南極なんきょく
South Pole / Antarctic region
南米なんべい
South America
南北なんぼく
south and north
南みなみ
south

Kun reading

みなみ

南みなみ
south

Commonly used words

南極
なんきょく
South Pole / Antarctic region
南米
なんべい
South America
南北
なんぼく
south and north
南
みなみ
south
南
みなみ
south

Example sentences

Example 1

南極はとても寒い場所です。

Translation

The South Pole is a very cold place.

Example 2

南極での探検は大変でした。

Translation

The expedition to the South Pole was difficult.

Example 3

南米の文化はとても豊かです。

Translation

South American culture is very rich.

Example 4

彼は南米で働いています。

Translation

He is working in South America.

Kanji 南: south

Kanji at a glance

Core meaning / core image

Kanji structure breakdown

Mnemonic story

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

Kun reading

Commonly used words

Example sentences

南極 (なんきょく): meaning and examples

南米 (なんべい): meaning and examples

南北 (なんぼく): meaning and examples

南 (みなみ): meaning and examples