How to Write 南 (nán) — Meaning “south”

Imagine ten (十) people inside a frame (冂) who are drying (干) themselves in the hot southern sun. This visual connects the components to the meaning 'south' and helps you recall the strokes in order.

Write the top horizontal stroke first, then the left vertical, then the bottom-left corner (竖折) to form the enclosure. Inside, write three horizontal strokes, then a vertical hook, and finally a dot at the end. A common mistake is forgetting the hook or writing the inside as a full 干 without the dot.

南 has a flat top stroke (一) and ends with a vertical hook and dot, while 倝 (meaning 'dawn') adds a person radical (亻) on the left side. 卑 (meaning 'low') has a top part like 白 (white) instead of the 十, and its bottom is different—no hook or dot.

南 is very common in directions, such as 南边 (south side) and 南方 (south), and appears in country names like 越南 (Vietnam). In Chinese culture, south is considered an auspicious direction, so traditional houses and temples often face south for good fortune.

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