Definitions
Etymology
Pictograph of two people standing back-to-back. Based on the original meaning "back", now written as 背. The current meaning "north" is a phonetic loan.
About
北 originates from a pictograph of two human figures positioned back-to-back, a composition that remains discernible in the modern character. The original meaning was the physical back, now written as 背 with the addition of the flesh radical. As a phonetic loan, 北 was then used to write the word for the cardinal direction north. The same image of turned backs also suggested the act of turning away and fleeing, giving 北 a secondary historical meaning of military defeat or retreat.
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Example Sentences Hide
北京是中国的首都。
北方冬天很冷。
我家住在北边。
他去北京旅行了。
北方的气候比较干燥。
从北京到上海有多远？
在北方，人们喜欢吃面食。
由于北方寒流南下，气温下降了很多。
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