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北

běi
#315 most
frequent character
north
noun
adjective

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

北 shows two people with their backs to each other, so it first meant turning one's back. That grew to 'to retreat'. The meaning 'north' was borrowed only for the sound, with no link to the picture.

Drawn as: two people back-to-back

北 as a component in other characters

meaning2 characters
背乖
sound2 characters
背邶
empty1 character
冀

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Example Sentences

北京在中国的北方。
běijīng zài zhōngguó de běifāng 。
Beijing is in the north of China.
我住在北边。
wǒ zhùzài běibiān 。
I live in the north.
北风刮得很厉害。
běi fēng guā déhěn lìhài 。
The north wind is blowing very strongly.

Words with similar meanings

方向fāngxiàng
direction
Refers to a general area or orientation, which can include north but is broader.
北方běifāng
the north
Specifically refers to the northern region, synonymous with north in certain contexts.

Words Starting With 北

北京Bei3 jīng
"Beijing, capital of People's Republic of China; Peking; PRC government"
北方běi fāng
north; the northern part a country; China north of the Yellow River
北极běi jí
the North Pole; the Arctic Pole; the north magnetic pole

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