南
Character learning workspace

nā / nán · south

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 2.0 · Level 3HSK 3.0 · Level 3Frequency #1709
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Learn every stroke in 南

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Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Sound changes meaning

Readings & meanings

南 has 2 dictionary pronunciations. The examples show how each reading behaves in real words.

nā

used in 南無|南无[na1 mo2]; Taiwan pr. [na2]

nán

south

东南dōng nán · southeast
Step-by-step explorer

See how 南 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

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Writing notes

Shape and proportion

9Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Top-bottomCharacter structure

Keep the upper section balanced above the lower section.

十Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 南 writing sheet

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Vocabulary in context

Common words with 南

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

nánsouth
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 南 sits in each complete thought.

Tā kěn dìng shì nán fāng rén.他肯定是南方人。

He must be from the South.

Source: Tatoeba #12255847 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā men shì cóng fǎ guó nán bù lái de.他们是从法国南部来的。

They come from the south of France.

Source: Tatoeba #782294 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Bā xī shì nán měi zhōu zuì dà de guó jiā.巴西是南美洲最大的國家。

Brazil is the biggest country in South America.

Source: Tatoeba #5414479 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Ná shàng nǐ mén de zhǐ nán zhēn.拿上你們的指南針。

Bring your compass along.

Source: Tatoeba #10450760 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ de jiā zuò běi xiàng nán.我的家坐北向南。

My house looks to the south.

Source: Tatoeba #365790 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nán fāng hé běi fāng de chāyì hěn dà.南方和北方的差异很大。

The north and south differ greatly from each other.

Source: Tatoeba #12422361 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 南 in context

  1. Say nā / nán, then recall the core meaning: south.
  2. Write all 9 strokes while keeping the top-bottom balanced.
  3. Use it in 东南 (dōng nán), meaning “southeast”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 南 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.