北
KanjiJLPT N5
North
Mnemonic
Two figures sitting back to back — an empty channel between them pointing toward the north.
Details
The keyword for 北 is north. This kanji depicts two people sitting back to back, which symbolically represents turning one's back on the sun — since in the Northern Hemisphere, one faces south toward the sun, leaving the north behind. It is used to indicate the cardinal direction north, as well as concepts related to fleeing or defeat, as turning one's back can also imply running away.
- On'yomi
- ほく
- Kun'yomi
- きた