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Words Kanji Guides About

正北 (せいほく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

正せい北ほく

せ

い

ほ

く

Meanings

1

noun

due north

Refers to the cardinal direction exactly north, without deviation. Used in navigation, geography, and formal contexts.

この道みちは正せい北ほくに向むかっている。
This road heads due north.
コンパスが正せい北ほくを指さしている。
The compass is pointing due north.

Kanji

正correct, justice, righteous
北north

Similar words

真ま北きた
真北 also means 'true north' or 'due north', but 正北 is more formal and less common in everyday speech.
北きた
北 is the general word for 'north', while 正北 specifies the exact direction without deviation.

Etymology

Compound of 正 (sei, 'correct' or 'exact') and 北 (hoku, 'north'). The reading is on'yomi for both characters.