L36. Daily Japanese Kanji — Lesson 36: 南

Days 31-40

R-report

[Day 36] 南 - south

The character 南 originally pictured a direction (the top part like a lid, the lower strokes a field or landscape) and today simply means “south.” You’ll see it on maps, station signs (南口 south exit), weather reports, and building descriptions (南向き south-facing). Readings: On'yomi: ナン (nan) — used in many compounds like 南東 (なんとう / nantō, southeast) and 南北 (なんぼく / nanboku, north and south). Kun'yomi: みなみ (minami) — the native word for “south,” used alone or in place names and everyday phrases like 南口 (みなみぐち / minami-guchi). Mnemonic tip: imagine the character as a roof over a warm field — the sunny side (south) where people gather.

Readings

On'yomi: **ナン（南）** (nan) Kun'yomi: **みなみ（南）** (minami)

Related words

• 南（みなみ / minami） — south - 町の**南**に駅があります。 (Machi no minami ni eki ga arimasu. — There is a station to the south of town.)

• 南口（みなみぐち / minami-guchi） — south exit - **南口**で待ち合わせしましょう。 (Minami-guchi de machiawase shimashō. — Let's meet at the south exit.)

• 南向き（みなみむき / minami-muki） — south-facing - この部屋は**南向き**で日当たりがいい。 (Kono heya wa minami-muki de hiatari ga ii. — This room faces south and gets good sunlight.)

• 南東（なんとう / nantō） — southeast - 今日は**南東**から風が吹いている。 (Kyō wa nantō kara kaze ga fuite iru. — Today the wind is blowing from the southeast.)

• 南北（なんぼく / nanboku） — north and south - 日本は**南北**に長い国です。 (Nihon wa nanboku ni nagai kuni desu. — Japan is a country long from north to south.)