朝北

cháoběi
phrase

Meanings

  1. 1 facing north
  2. 2 north-facing (apartment / window)

Examples

Zhè tào fángzi cháoběi, dōngtiān lěng, xiàtiān hái xíng.
This apartment faces north — cold in winter, but okay in summer.
Cháoběi de wòshì cǎiguāng bù hǎo.
North-facing bedrooms don't get much natural light.

Tips

culture
Apartment orientation is a major selling point in Chinese real estate. 朝南 (south-facing) is most desirable — warm in winter, cool in summer, good light. 朝北 is least desirable. Listings always state 朝向 (cháoxiàng, orientation): 南北通透 (south-north through-ventilated) is premium. Buyers and renters specifically ask 采光 (how many sides get light).
grammar
(cháo) means 'facing/toward' as a preposition. Substitute any direction: 朝南 (south), (east), 西 (west). also has a different reading zhāo meaning 'morning' — context distinguishes.

Stroke Order

cháo
běi