南|みなみminami[0]heiban (flat)
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- nounsouth
- Synonym南方なんぽうWrittenWritten or formal word for the southern direction or southern regions; before WWII it also referred specifically to Southeast Asia and the South Seas.
- Synonym真南まみなみNeutralMeans exactly due south, with no deviation, as in 「真南に向く」; unlike 「南」, it is only for the precise direction, not the south side in general.
- Antonym北きたNeutralThe opposite of 「南」: refers to north, the north side or northern regions.
Use 「南」 by default for south. Choose 「真南」 for the exact due-south direction and 「南方」 in written or formal prose, or when talking about southern regions (pre-WWII also Southeast Asia and the South Seas). 「北」 is its antonym, north.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only


