Quick answer
北 is the kanji for "North". The most common reading is きた (kita). Mnemonics and example sentences are listed below.
Meaning
North
Also : Northern
Learn 北 with SRS
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
5 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
Two people standing back-to-back — when lost in the cold north, two travelers argue and turn their backs to each other, pointing opposite directions.
ほく (hoku) — Hokkaido is the northern island of Japan, ほく = north in that name.
Example Sentences
北海道の雪まつりに行って、雪の像を見ました。
ほっかいどうのゆきまつりにいって、ゆきのぞうをみました。
I went to the Hokkaido Snow Festival and saw snow sculptures.
北海道は寒いです。
ほっかいどうはさむいです。
Hokkaido is cold.
Vocabulary using 北
Grammar to study at this level
Last updated Jun 18, 2026
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