south

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 南 means south; its kun-reading is みなみ and its on-reading is なん.
• Basic usage: 駅の南 identifies a location south of a station; 南側 identifies the southern side of a building or place.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Location and direction of movement
  • 駅の南に indicates a location south of the station, while 南へ向かう describes heading south.
• Reading 側
  • 南側 is read みなみがわ. In this word for the south side, 側 is read がわ.