남쪽
namjjok[na̠mt͡ɕ͈o̞k̚]
The Korean word for south is 남쪽 (namjjok). Wiktionary also lists 남 (nam) and 앞 (ap).
Meaning: compass point (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 남쪽 | namjjok | [na̠mt͡ɕ͈o̞k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 남 | nam | [na̠m] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 앞 | ap | [a̠p̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | Yukjin, obsolete |
The word refers to the compass point south.
What does it mean word for word?
In the word 남쪽, the suffix 쪽 means side or direction, making the term literally south side or south direction.
Which one should you use?
남쪽 is the standard word used for the general direction. In contrast, the single syllable 남 is typically used in formal, technical or compound contexts, such as in the name of the country 남한 (South Korea).
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word 앞 is an obsolete form used in the Yukjin dialect.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
By adding the particle 으로 to 남쪽, you create the adverbial form 남쪽으로, which means towards the south.
How do you pronounce it?
namjjok
Did you know?
- In North Korea, the standard pronunciation for the character meaning 'south' is 람, which is an artificial rule rather than a natural dialectal evolution.
- In traditional Korean architecture, the 'south' side of a house is considered the most auspicious and is typically where the main building faces to maximize sunlight.
- The word 남 can also mean 'others' or 'strangers' in a social context, meaning 'south' shares a sound with a word for people outside one's own circle.
Examples in context
- 일본과 남한은 이웃 국가다.Japan and South Korea are neighbors.This sentence uses 남 to refer to South Korea.Tatoeba #6305055 by Queserasera, translation #281265 by CK
- 남한은 북한보다 훨씬 더 아름답다.South Korea is much more beautiful than North Korea.Tatoeba #6305109 by Queserasera, translation #3707688 by ddnktr
- 1950년에, 북한은 남한을 침공했다.In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea.Tatoeba #6305083 by Queserasera, translation #807411 by Source_VOA
- 서쪽으로 가다가 남쪽으로 도세요.Go west and then turn south.
- 한반도의 남쪽에 위치한 나라는 대한민국입니다.South Korea is a country located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minjun and Minji are looking at a map together.
- 민준 Min-jun우리가 가려는 곳이 남쪽이에요?uriga garyeoneun gosi namjjog-ieyo?Is the place we are going to in the south?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 남쪽으로 조금 더 가야 해요.ne, namjjog-euro jogeum deo gaya haeyo.Yes, we have to go a bit further south.
- 민준 Min-jun여기서 남쪽은 어느 방향이죠?yeogiseo namjjog-eun eoneu banghyang-ijyo?Which direction is south from here?
- 민지 Min-ji이쪽이 남쪽이에요, 민준 씨.ijjog-i namjjog-ieyo, Minjun ssi.This way is south, Minjun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “south” translations and entries 남쪽, 남, 앞, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
