南边

• Pinyin: nán bian
• Hanzi breakdown: 南 = south; 边 = 辶 (walk) + 力 (phonetic), meaning side or edge

Meaning

South side; to the south. Indicates the southern direction or area.

Used to specify locations relative to a reference point. Part of a set of directional compounds: 东边, 西边, 南边, 北边. Very practical for giving and understanding directions.

Examples

1. 公园在学校的南边。 The park is to the south of the school.
2. 南边有一条河。 There is a river to the south.
3. 他家住在城市南边。 His home is on the south side of the city.

Usage Guide

Context: direction, location

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 医院在超市的南边。(The hospital is south of the supermarket.)
• 南边的天气更热。(The weather in the south is hotter.)

Don't Say

• 在南边上。(Unnatural — say 在南边; don't add 上 after directional words like 南边)

Origin & History

A compound of 南 (south) and 边 (side/edge), literally 'south side.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal