nord
/nɔʁ/masculine
The English word 'north' is translated into French as nord. Wiktionary also lists septentrion.
Meaning: compass point (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| nord | /nɔʁ/ | masculine |
| septentrion | /sɛp.tɑ̃.tʁi.jɔ̃/ | masculine |
The term nord is the standard way to refer to the compass point. To indicate a direction that is exactly north, you can use the phrase plein nord, which is equivalent to 'due north' in English.
Which one should you use?
While nord is the standard word, you may encounter the term septentrion, which is a more formal, literary or poetic way to refer to the north.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the north as a specific direction or a geographical region, the masculine noun nord is preceded by the definite article le, forming le nord.
How do you pronounce it?
/nɔʁ/
Did you know?
- The French word nord was actually borrowed from the Old English word 'north'.
- The formal word septentrion is derived from the seven stars of the Big Dipper. It comes from the Latin 'septentrio', which refers to the seven oxen used to pull the celestial chariot.
- While English uses 'North' as a proper noun for regions, French uses le Nord to refer specifically to the Hauts-de-France region in a cultural context.
Examples in context
- Nous partîmes plein nord.We went due north.This sentence shows how to use nord to express traveling due north.Tatoeba #499073 by sacredceltic, translation #22884 by CM
- Je viens de Corée du Nord.I am from North Korea.This sentence uses nord in the name of a country.Tatoeba #6058843 by Tsar_Lyagushka, translation #6058775 by RobinvanderVliet
- L'aiguille indique le nord.The needle is pointing toward the north.This sentence uses nord to describe the direction a needle is pointing.Tatoeba #12617059 by lbdx, translation #2774074 by sharptoothed
- La gare est au nord de la ville.The train station is in the north of the city.
- La boussole indique toujours le point cardinal Nord.The compass always points to the north.
- J'adore voyager vers le nord.I love traveling to the north.
- Partons en voyage vers le nord.Let's go on a road trip up north.
- 145 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are looking at a map during a hike.
- ManonLe vent vient du nord.The wind is coming from the north.
- NathanEst-ce que nous devons marcher vers le nord ?Should we walk towards the north?
- ManonOui, c'est la direction du nord.Yes, that is the northern direction.
- NathanD'accord, je vais suivre cette direction.Okay, I will follow that direction.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “north” translations and entries nord, septentrion, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nord, septentrion, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
