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What does the kanji 北 mean?

北 means north. On'yomi ホク. Kun'yomi きた.

Quick facts
On'yomiホク
Kun'yomiきた
Strokes5
Main radical匕
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)N5
On'yomi ホクKun'yomi きた
N5 · estimated, JLPT framework5 strokes

north

Memory hook

Two people turning their backs on each other, away from the warm south — NORTH.

Main radical

匕spoon 2 strokes

Built from

Stroke order · 5 strokes

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Common words

  • 北きたnorth
  • 南北なんぼくnorth and south

More words with this kanji

  • 北極ほっきょくthe Arctic, North Pole
  • 敗北はいぼくdefeat, loss

Look up another word →

Data sources and licences

English meanings, On/Kun readings, stroke counts: KANJIDIC2 — Electronic Dictionary Research and Development Group (EDRDG), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Components: KRADFILE (EDRDG). Stroke order: KanjiVG (Ulrich Apel), licensed CC BY-SA 3.0. Mnemonics written by GoMe.

Voice: VOICEVOX Nemo.

N5–N1 levels on this page are estimates based on the JLPT framework, drawn from community benchmarks. GoMe Nihongo is not affiliated with the Japan Foundation or JEES, which administer the JLPT.