南北
nánběi · HSK 5
north and south
🧭 南 = south + 北 = north; the compass pair naming a north–south axis
南北 literally stacks the two cardinal characters: 南 (south) and 北 (north). The pairing of opposite directions yields a span word meaning the whole north-to-south range, much like English north–south.
南 — 十 ten + 冂 enclosure + 丷 + 干
Originally a pictograph of a bronze bell or musical instrument hung on a frame, used in southern regional rites. Through phonetic loan, the character came to mean 'south' — the direction one faces when seated as ruler in ancient China. The original 'bell' meaning was lost.
北 — two people 人 back-to-back
北 originally pictured two people standing back-to-back, meaning 'back' or 'to turn one's back on.' Because people in ancient China faced south, their backs pointed north, so 北 came to mean 'north.' The original 'back' sense was later written with 背 (adding 月/flesh).