北 (běi) — north
Definition
A basic direction word meaning 'north.' As a standalone noun it contrasts with 北方, which specifically names a region's north.
noun
north
Easily confused
Examples
- 。Wǒ jiā zài běi biān.My home is on the north side.
- 北。Wǎng běi zǒu shí fēn zhōng jiù dào le.Walk north for ten minutes and you'll arrive.
- 。běi Biān de fēng hěn lěng.The wind from the north is very cold.
Origin
Compound ideograph六书liùshū
会意huìyìTwo or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.
The form 北 shows two people standing back to back. It originally meant 'back'.
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