南 (nán) - Meaning, Stroke Order, Words & Examples

Q: What does 南 (nán) mean in Chinese?

The Chinese character 南 (nán) means "south". It is an HSK Level 1 character, with 9 strokes and the radical 十.

Q: How do you write 南 stroke by stroke?

南 has 9 strokes. The radical is 十. Follow the standard stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. Practice with stroke animation to build muscle memory.

Q: What's the difference between 南 and 倝?

南 (nán) and 倝 look similar but differ in meaning and usage. Check the radical and stroke count to tell them apart.

Q: What mistakes do learners make writing 南?

Common mistake: incorrect stroke order or miswriting the radical 十. Pay attention to the proportion between components — keep the radical compact.

Q: What common words use 南?

Common words containing 南 include: 南边 (nán biān) — south side; 南方 (nán fāng) — south; 越南 (yuè nán) — Vietnam.

How to Write 南

The character 南 (nán) is written with 9 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 十 is one of its key components.

Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.

Meaning & Pronunciation

南 is pronounced nán in Mandarin Chinese. It means south.

As an HSK Level 1 character, 南 is among the first characters beginners learn.

Common Words with 南

南边 nán biān

south side

南方 nán fāng

south

越南 yuè nán

Vietnam

Example Sentences

学校在南边。

xué xiào zài nán biān

The school is in the south.

我喜欢南方。

wǒ xǐ huān nán fāng

I like the south.

他去越南旅游了。

tā qù yuè nán lǚ yóu le

He went to Vietnam for a trip.

Similar Characters

倝 gàn

卑 bēi

卒 zú

Practice Writing 南 (nán)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 南 with real-time feedback.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 南

What does 南 (nán) mean in Chinese?

How do you write 南 stroke by stroke?

What's the difference between 南 and 倝?

What mistakes do learners make writing 南?

What common words use 南?

How to Write 南 (nán)