南 nán
south (direction), southern; a surname.
Story
The character 【南】 is a common and interesting Chinese character, whose shape is easy to remember with a vivid trick. Its most distinctive feature is the middle part—it looks exactly like the RMB symbol (pronounced rèn). This interesting similarity is a great help for foreign Chinese learners to memorize its shape quickly.
In ancient Chinese, 【南】 was originally a pictographic character, which was said to resemble a musical instrument used in ancient times. As the writing system evolved, its shape gradually simplified, and the middle part accidentally formed a shape similar to the RMB symbol, becoming a unique memory point.
The core meaning of 【南】 is the direction of south, which is the opposite of 【北】 (běi, north). It is widely used in daily life, such as referring to southern regions, directions, and even in some idioms and common phrases. It is an essential character for learners to master when learning Chinese directions.
Unlike some complex characters, 【南】 has a simple structure and a clear memory point. The "RMB symbol" in the middle not only makes it easy to recognize but also adds fun to the learning process.
Memory Tip
Just remember: the middle part of 【南】 (nán) looks like the RMB symbol (pronounced rèn). Linking the familiar RMB symbol to the character’s shape can help you memorize 【南】 quickly and never forget it.
