北 Kanji – north
The Japanese kanji 北 can mean north.
Meaning and Readings
How is 北 read?
北 has the onyomi reading ホク and the kunyomi reading きた.
In romaji, these readings can be written as hoku, kita.
Common Japanese Words Using 北
These common Japanese words contain 北. Select linked kanji to explore their meanings and readings.
- 東北（とうほく） — north-east
- 南北（なんぼく） — north and south, north to south
- 敗北（はいぼく） — defeat, loss, reverse, setback
- 北（きた） — north
- 北北東（ほくほくとう） — north-northeast, north-north-east
- 北アイルランド（きたアイルランド） — Northern Ireland
- 北緯（ほくい） — north latitude
- 北欧（ほくおう） — Northern Europe, Nordic countries, Scandinavia
- 北海（ほっかい） — northern sea
- 北海道（ほっかいどう） — Hokkaido (island, prefectural-level administrative unit)