南 Stroke Order — How to Write 南
南 is written in 9 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 十, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
南 Radical and Character Components
南 is a pictograph. A musical bell.
Radical: 十 + 7 more strokes
南 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- nán
- nā
Meanings of 南 in Chinese
1
nán南
South; southern direction; the side to one's right when facing the morning sun; opposite to north; often referring to the southern part of a region, country, or the world, such as the South Pole or Southern Hemisphere.
我们去南方旅行，那里天气很暖和。
We are traveling to the south; the weather there is very warm.
2
nā南
Used in Buddhism as part of 'Nāmó' (南无), meaning 'homage to' or 'salutations to', expressing reverence or taking refuge in a Buddha or Bodhisattva. It is often prefixed to their names, such as 'Nāmó Āmítuófó' or 'Nāmó Guānshìyīn Púsà'.
信徒们双手合十，口诵‘南无阿弥陀佛’。
The believers put their palms together and chanted 'Nāmó Āmítuófó'.
Common Words and Phrases with 南
1
Southern Hemisphere
在南半球，十二月到二月通常是夏季。
In the Southern Hemisphere, December to February is typically summer.
2
north and south
这条山脉绵延数千公里，横跨南北
This mountain range stretches for thousands of kilometers, spanning north and south.
3
4
the southern part of a region or country
这个地区的南部以其温暖的气候而闻名。
The southern part of this region is known for its warm climate.
5
The South; a region or country located to the south of a specific or implied point. In China, it specifically refers to the areas along and south of the Yangtze River.
南方的冬天通常比北方温暖湿润。
Winters in the south are usually warmer and more humid than in the north.
6
7
Nangong is a Chinese compound surname.
南宫先生是一位出色的园艺师，他将自家的花园打理得如诗如画。
Mr. Nangong is an excellent gardener; he meticulously maintains his home garden, making it as beautiful as a painting.
8
Pumpkin
秋天是收获南瓜的季节，人们喜欢用南瓜制作美味的甜点和汤。
Autumn is the season for harvesting pumpkins, and people love to make delicious desserts and soups with them.
9
Nanguan (南冠) refers to a captive or prisoner, originally alluding to the cap worn by people from the ancient southern State of Chu, often symbolizing a prisoner of war.
昔日叱咤风云的将军，如今身陷重围，沦为南冠，令人无限唏嘘。
The general, who once commanded great influence, is now deeply besieged and has become a captive, stirring endless sighs of regret.
10
Nanguo Chushi is a fictitious name, literally 'south-city retired scholar', referring to a person who pretends to have a skill they do not possess, as in the ancient fable of someone who pretended to play the yu (a wind instrument) to blend in with musicians.
他在团队项目中总是敷衍了事，从不贡献实际的成果，简直就是个南郭处士。
He always shirked his responsibilities in team projects and never contributed any actual results, simply acting like a Nanguo Chushi.
11
the southern part of the country; the South
南国的冬季也温暖如春，鲜花盛开，景色宜人。
Even winter in the southern lands is warm like spring, with blooming flowers and delightful scenery.
12
The South China Sea, a large marginal sea in East Asia, located south of mainland China and between the Malay Archipelago. It is a crucial waterway connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans, known for its significant oil and gas reserves and numerous islands.
南海海域广阔，蕴藏着丰富的海洋资源，吸引了众多海洋生物在此繁衍生息。
The vast South China Sea area harbors abundant marine resources, attracting numerous marine creatures to thrive and reproduce.
13
delicacies or specialties from South China
这家店专卖各种南北货，其中南货以干海产和特色糕点为主。
This shop specializes in a variety of northern and southern goods, with the southern specialties primarily consisting of dried seafood and unique pastries.
14
The southernmost point on Earth.
许多独特的动物，如企鹅，生活在南极地区
Many unique animals, such as penguins, live in the Antarctic region.
More words with 南
- hú湖nán南Hunan
- huái淮nán南Huainan
- lǐng岭nán南Lingnan, South of the Ridges
- huái淮nán南zǐ子Huainanzi, The Master(s) of Huainan
- jǐ济nán南Jinan
- mǐn闽nán南huà话Min Nan, Hokkien
- yōng雍nán南Yongnan
- hé河nán南Henan Province, South of the Yellow River
- huái淮nán南fāng方Huainan region
- jiāng江nán南Jiangnan, South of the Yangtze River
- nán南jīng京Nanjing
- nán南měi美South America, S. America
- nán南níng宁Nanning
- nán南xià下go south, move south
- xiàng向nán南southward, facing south
- zhēng征nán南jiāng将jūn军General who Conquers the South
- zhǐ指nán南Guide, Guidelines
- hú湖nán南shěng省Hunan Province, Hunan
- jiā迦nán南Canaan
- nán南dǒu斗Southern Dipper, Southern Ladle
Idioms with 南
- nán南guō郭xiān先shēng生incompetent person in a responsible position
- nán南kē柯yī一mèng梦a pipe dream
- nán南lái来běi北wǎng往coming and going from all directions
- nán南qiāng腔běi北diào调speak with a mixed accent
- nán南qù去běi北lái来to come and go
- nán南shān山kě可yí移Absolutely firm and unchangeable
- nán南shān山yǐn隐bào豹wise person living in seclusion
- nán南shān山zhī之shòu寿long life like the South Mountain
- nán南yào鹞běi北yīng鹰stern, principled, and unyielding person
- nán南yuán辕běi北zhé辙act contrary to one's goal
- nán南zhēng征běi北zhàn战campaign and fight battles across the country
- chuǎng闯nán南zǒu走běi北travel extensively
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Open the tool →Questions about 南
What does 南 mean in Chinese?
南 (nán) means “South” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 南?
南 has 2 pronunciations: nán, nā.
How many strokes does 南 have?
南 has 9 strokes.
How do you write 南?
南 is written in 9 strokes, starting from the radical 十. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 南?
The radical of 南 is 十, and 南 is a pictograph.
