南(みなみ)

みなみ

noun

south

1. south

The direction opposite to north, where the sun is at midday in the Northern Hemisphere.

南(みなみ)へ行(い)く。

To go south.

南(みなみ)は暖(あたた)かい。

The south is warm.

南口(みなみぐち)から出(で)てください。

Please exit from the south exit.

駅(えき)の南(みなみ)に大(おお)きい公園(こうえん)があります。

There's a big park south of the station.

日本(にほん)の南(みなみ)にある島(しま)は冬(ふゆ)でも暖(あたた)かいので、旅行(りょこう)に行(い)きたいです。

The islands in the south of Japan are warm even in winter, so I want to travel there.

南(みなみ) is one of the four cardinal directions.

Four directions

東(ひがし): east
西(にし): west
南(みなみ): south
北(きた): north

Common expressions

南口(みなみぐち): south exit (at stations)
南側(みなみがわ): south side
南向(みなみむ)き: facing south
南風(みなみかぜ): south wind

Place names

南(みなみ)アメリカ: South America
南極(なんきょく): Antarctica (South Pole)
東南(とうなん)アジア: Southeast Asia

Cultural note

South-facing (南向(みなみむ)き) rooms are preferred in Japan for good sunlight, making them more desirable in housing.

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Added 2026.1.7 21:10 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29

00500/00652_minami