北
north
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Shape of two people back to back. Direction facing away from sun.
Symbolism
North, cold, defeat. Represents winter and water in Five Elements.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
東西南北
とうざいなんぼく
east, west, south and north; east, west, south and north
南征北伐
なんせいほくばつ
attacking in all directions; attacking in all directions
南船北馬
なんせんほくば
constant travelling; constant traveling; being on the move; constant travelling
北斗七星
ほくとしちせい
the Big Dipper (asterism); the Plough; the Plow; the Big Dipper (asterism)
泰山北斗
たいざんほくと
great authority; eminent person; luminary; great authority
Proverbs & Idioms
北風と太陽
きたかぜとたいよう
The north wind and the sun
Gentleness is more effective than force
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 北 mean in Japanese?
北 means north.
How do you read 北?
On'yomi: ホク (HOKU). Kun'yomi: きた (kita).
How many strokes does 北 have?
北 has 5 strokes. Its radical is 匕 (spoon).
Is 北 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 北 (north) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
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