南北
なんぼく · nanboku · JLPT N2 · noun
north
🧭 南北 = 南 south + 北 north, so the pair means the whole south-north line
南 is the kanji for south and 北 is the kanji for north. Joined together, they name the full north-south axis, the same way English pairs north and 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).