norte sur este oeste
/noɾte suɾ este oeste/from spelling rules
The phrase for "north south east west" in Spanish is norte sur este oeste.
This phrase refers to the four main cardinal directions used for navigation and orientation. To describe the concept of orientation or direction itself, you would use the noun orientación.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some parts of Mexico, the term poniente might be used instead of oeste to represent the west. In certain regions of Spain, levante can be used instead of este to refer to the east.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are referring to the cardinal directions as specific geographical regions or points, you should precede them with the definite article el, forming el norte, el sur, el este and el oeste.
How do you pronounce it?
/noɾte suɾ este oeste/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word este for 'east' is a linguistic relative of the English word 'Austria'. They both trace back to the same Proto-Indo-European root referring to the 'east' or 'dawn'.
- In Spain, the word levante is often used for 'east' because it refers to the direction from which the wind rises.
- In Spanish, the word este can mean 'east' but it is also a common demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this'. The meaning is distinguished by the context of the sentence.
Examples in context
- Vaya hacia el norteGo north.
- La playa está por el oesteThe beach is to the west.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are looking at a map together.
- JavierLucía, ¿están marcados el norte sur este oeste?Lucía, are the north south east west marked?
- LucíaSí, mira la rosa de los vientos.Yes, look at the compass rose.
- JavierAhora entiendo el norte sur este oeste.Now I understand the north south east west.
- LucíaPerfecto, así podemos encontrar el camino.Perfect, that way we can find the way.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries este, norte, oeste, sur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
