Chinese word

北方

Pronunciation

Pinyinběi fāng

Meaning

  • nounthe north

Example

冬天，北方比南方冷。dōng tiān běi fāng bǐ nán fāng lěng

In winter, the north is colder than the south.

Illustration for 北方 (the north)

More examples

他下个月要去北方出差。tā xià gè yuè yào qù běi fāng chū chāi

He is going on a business trip to the north next month.

Core concept

A broad northern part of a place, viewed as one region rather than as a single point.

Common phrases

  • 去北方qù běi fāng

    go to the north

  • 北方人běi fāng rén

    northerner

  • 北方地区běi fāng dì qū

    northern region

Similar words

北部běi bù: The northern section of a country or region, treated as a defined part of the whole.
北边běi biān: The north side or northern direction of a place or object.
北běi: The basic direction that points toward the North Pole.

Definition in Chinese

指国家或地区的北部，常与南方相对，有时包含气候或生活习惯上的一般差异含义。zhǐ guó jiā huò dì qū de běi bù cháng yǔ nán fāng xiāng duì yǒu shí bāo hán qì hòu huò shēng huó xí guàn shàng de yì bān chā yì hán yì

Word origin

北 (běi, "north") + 方 (fāng, "direction or area") forms 北方 (běifāng, "the north"), so the word names the northern part of a place.

Usage tips

  • When the focus is on regional differences in climate or daily life, this term gives a broad frame, while a place name makes the location more exact.

Other meanings

  • north sidenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 北方人běi fāng rénnorthernernoun

Word lists with this word