南
south
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Represents flourishing vegetation in the south. The warm direction.
Symbolism
South, warmth, prosperity. Represents summer and fire in Five Elements.
Words & Expressions
Words written with 南
Four-Character Compounds
東西南北
とうざいなんぼく
east, west, south and north
南征北伐
なんせいほくばつ
attacking in all directions
南船北馬
なんせんほくば
constant travelling; constant traveling; being on the move
南無三宝
なむさんぼう
Homage to the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha); oh no!; good heavens!
Anime & Manga
南号尚风
Nan Hao Shang Feng
A well-known work with 南 in its Japanese title.
湘南純愛組！
GTO: The Early Years - Shonan Junai Gumi
A well-known work with 南 in its Japanese title.
Related Figures & Stories
南方熊楠
Name contains 南
Minakata Kumagusu was a Japanese author, biologist, naturalist and ethnologist.
Wikipedia南部利直
Name contains 南
Nanbu Toshinao was an early Edo period Japanese samurai, and the 1st daimyō of Morioka Domain in northern Japan.
Wikipedia南条文雄
Name contains 南
Nanjō Bun'yū was a Buddhist priest and one of the most important modern Japanese scholars of Buddhism.
WikipediaFrequently Asked Questions
What does 南 mean in Japanese?
南 means south.
How do you read 南?
On'yomi: ナン、ナ (NAN, NA). Kun'yomi: みなみ (minami).
How many strokes does 南 have?
南 has 9 strokes. Its radical is 十 (ten).
Is 南 a good kanji for a tattoo?
南 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means south. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:south