指南针

zhǐ nán zhēn

HSK 2.0 Level 6 Uncommon

Definitions

1. compass

Word relationships

Register variants

1 item

• 指北针 zhǐ běi zhēn 指北针 zhǐ běi zhēn compass 较书面或技术性名称: compass

Related words

2 items

• 指南 zhǐ nán 指南 zhǐ nán to guide 指导、指引，也作比喻用: to guide
• 方向 fāng xiàng 方向 fāng xiàng direction; orientation compass指示的东西: direction; orientation

Synonyms

1 item

• 罗盘 luó pán 罗盘 luó pán compass 指方向的仪器，多用于航海或风水: compass

Usage notes

Collocations

Commonly used in phrases like 道德指南针 (moral compass) for metaphorical guidance.

Common mistakes

Unlike 指导 (guidance), 指南针 specifically refers to the physical instrument compass, not abstract guidance.

Example Sentences

2 shown

指南针 能帮助我们找到北方。

A compass can help us find north.

指南针 指向南方。

The compass points to the south.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 指南针

• 南 南 nán: south
• 指 指 zhǐ: finger
• 指南 指南 zhǐ nán: to guide
• 针 针 zhēn: needle