北

• Reading: きた
• Romaji: kita
• Kanji breakdown: 北 (kita/hoku) — north
• Pronunciation: /ki.ta/

Meaning

North. One of the four cardinal directions, commonly used in place names and when giving directions.

A noun for the cardinal direction north. Appears in many place names such as 北海道 (Hokkaido, meaning 'northern sea road') and 北口 (north exit). Can be read as きた in native Japanese or ほく in Sino-Japanese compounds like 北極 (hokkyoku, North Pole).

Examples

1. 北海道は日本の北にあります。 Hokkaido is in the north of Japan.
2. 北口のバス停から出発します。 We'll depart from the bus stop at the north exit.
3. 風が北から吹いて寒いです。 The wind is blowing from the north and it's cold.

Usage Guide

Context: directions, place names, geography

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 北 originally depicted two people sitting back to back, suggesting turning away — since ancient Chinese faced south, turning away meant facing north.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal