Readings: ホク (Onyomi), きた (Kunyomi)
Meaning: north
北 is a common kanji used to describe direction and location. You will find it in place names like 北海道 (Hokkaidō), and words like 北風 (north wind). It is a fundamental direction word in Japanese.
View JLPT N5 Kanji ListKanji Details
| Radical | 匕 (spoon) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 5 |
| JLPT Level | N5 |
| Grade | 2nd Grade |
Readings
| Onyomi | ホク (hoku) |
|---|---|
| Kunyomi | きた (kita) |
How to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 北 has 5 strokes. It looks like two people sitting back to back, facing opposite directions — which can help you remember “north” as a direction away from the south.
- Begin with the left “person” radical shape
- Then draw the right part, which mirrors the left
Example Sentences
Japanese: 北の空に星が見えます。
Kana: きたのそらにほしがみえます。
Romaji: Kita no sora ni hoshi ga miemasu.
English: I can see stars in the northern sky.
Japanese: 北海道は日本の北にあります。
Kana: ほっかいどうはにほんのきたにあります。
Romaji: Hokkaidō wa Nihon no kita ni arimasu.
English: Hokkaido is in the north of Japan.
Japanese: 北風がとても強いです。
Kana: きたかぜがとてもつよいです。
Romaji: Kitakaze ga totemo tsuyoi desu.
English: The north wind is very strong.
Vocabulary Using 北
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 北 | きた | north |
| 北海道 | ほっかいどう | Hokkaido |
| 北風 | きたかぜ | north wind |
| 北口 | きたぐち | north exit |
| 北方 | ほっぽう | northern direction |
🔗 N5 Grammar & Vocabulary
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