[zhǐ nán zhēn]

The compass was invented in China. As early as in the Warring States Period （450 B.C.-221 B.C.）, a magnet was used as a device that pointed to magnetic north, and this device was named “Si Nan” by the ancient Chinese. In the Northern Song Dynasty （960 A.D.-1127 A.D.）, another device was invented with a magnetic iron needle that pointed to magnetic north, and this device was later used in navigation. The compass was introduced to Europe in the 13th century.
中國首先發明指南針。 戰國時期， 中國已經用磁石制成了指南的儀器， 古人稱它為“司南”。 北宋時， 又發明了用天然磁石摩擦鋼針制成的羅盤針， 即真正的指南針， 并應用于航海。 13世紀指南針傳到歐洲。