Chinese word

指南针

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhǐ nán zhēn

Meaning

  • nouncompass

Example

远足时别忘了带指南针。yuǎn zú shí bié wàng le dài zhǐ nán zhēn

Don't forget to bring a compass when hiking.

Illustration for 指南针 (compass)

More examples

在浓雾中，指南针能帮助我们辨别方向。zài nóng wù zhōng zhǐ nán zhēn néng bāng zhù wǒ men biàn bié fāng xiàng

In thick fog, a compass can help us find our way.

Core concept

A pocket-sized directional reference that turns an invisible magnetic pull into a visible heading.

Common phrases

  • 带指南针dài zhǐ nán zhēn

    bring a compass

  • 使用指南针shǐ yòng zhǐ nán zhēn

    use a compass

  • 校准指南针jiào zhǔn zhǐ nán zhēn

    calibrate a compass

  • 电子指南针diàn zi zhǐ nán zhēn

    electronic compass

Similar words

指北针zhí běi zhēn: A portable direction finder with a needle that points toward north.
罗盘luó pán: A traditional direction finder made with a marked disk and a needle.
电子指南针diàn zi zhǐ nán zhēn: An electronic direction-finding feature or device that senses orientation and shows it on a screen.

Definition in Chinese

用来辨别方向的手持仪器，通常由一根能指示磁北或磁南的细针组成，常用于导航或户外活动。yòng lái biàn bié fāng xiàng de shǒu chí yí qì tōng cháng yóu yì gēn néng zhǐ shì cí běi huò cí nán de xì zhēn zǔ chéng cháng yòng yú dǎo háng huò hù wài huó dòng

Word origin

指南针 (zhǐnánzhēn, "compass") is formed from 指 (zhǐ, "point") + 南 (nán, "south") + 针 (zhēn, "needle"), giving the memorable literal picture of a needle pointing south.

Usage tips

  • A magnetic compass does not depend on satellite signals, so it remains useful when a phone has no reception or battery.

Related words

  • 电子指南针diàn zi zhǐ nán zhēnelectronic compassnoun
  • 指北针zhí běi zhēnmagnetic compassnoun

Word lists with this word