1.
the south, southern regions, southward
A general term for southern areas or the direction of south. Often refers to Southeast Asia or the tropical regions south of Japan in historical and geographic contexts.
南方から暖かい風が吹く。
A warm wind blows from the south.
南方の島々には独自の文化がある。
The islands in the south have their own unique cultures.
台風が南方海上で発生し、北上している。
A typhoon has formed over the southern seas and is moving northward.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 南方の島 (southern island)
- 南方海上 (southern seas)
- 南方から (from the south)
USAGE NOTES:
Historically, 南方 was used during the wartime period to refer to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. In modern usage, it simply means "southern regions" and appears often in weather forecasts and geographic descriptions. Contrasts with 北方 (the north, northern regions). For the simple cardinal direction, 南 is more common in everyday speech.