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N5

Kanji 北: meanings, readings, and example words.

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Kanji 北: north

Key takeaways

Kanji 北: north. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

北
N5

Meaning

north

On reading

ほく

Kun reading

きた

Radical

匕

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 北

north

Kanji structure breakdown

北

Structure breakdown

匕

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

This character depicts two people standing back to back. It symbolizes turning one's back to the freezing winds blowing from the north. You can remember it through common words like North Pole (北極) or North Korea (北韓).

On'yomi and kun'yomi

Kun reading

きた
  • 北きた

    north

Commonly used words

  • 北
    きた

    north

Example sentences

Example 1

南北の違いを説明します。

Translation

I will explain the difference between south and north.

Example 2

南北に分かれた国があります。

Translation

There is a country divided into south and north.

Example 3

北極はとても寒い場所です。

Translation

The North Pole is a very cold place.

Example 4

北極の氷が少しずつ溶けている。

Translation

The ice at the North Pole is gradually melting.

Kanji 北: north | Daily Nihongo