Usage note
西南可以用来指方向，比如西南方向。
xī nán kě yǐ lái yòng lái zhǐ fāng xiàng, bǐ 如 例 西南方向。
西南 can be used to indicate direction, for example, southwest direction.
Context note
西南常用于描述地理位置，比如中国的西南地区。
xī nán cháng yòng yú miáo huì gé wù dì zhǐ chǔ, bǐ 如 例 中国的西南地区。
Southwest is commonly used to describe geographical locations, for example, the southwest region of China.
5 examples
我家在西南方向。
wǒ jiā zài xī nán fāng xiàng。
My home is in the southwest direction.
他们住在西南地区。
tā men zhù zài xī nán dì qū。
They live in the southwestern region.
地图上标出了西南方向。
dì tú shàng biāo chū le xī nán fāng xiàng。
The map marked the southwest direction.
我们去西南旅游。
wǒ men qù xī nán lǚ yóu。
We are going on a trip to the southwest.
西南方向的风很大。
xī nán fāng xiàng de fēng hěn dà。
The wind from the southwest is very strong.
5 mini stories
我们家住在西南方向，靠近公园。
wǒ men jiā zhù zài xī nán fāng xiàng， kào jìn gōng yuán。
Our home is in the southwest direction and close to the park.
妈妈说西南方向的风景很美。
mā ma shuō xī nán fāng xiàng de fēng jǐng hěn měi。
Mom said that the scenery in the southwest is very beautiful.
爸爸带我去西南旅游，看到了很多风景。
bà ba dài wǒ qù xī nán lǚ yóu， kàn dào le hěn duō fēng jǐng。
Dad took me on a trip to the southwest where I saw many beautiful sights.
西南方向的天气很热，记得带伞。
xī nán fāng xiàng de tiān qì hěn rè， jì de dài sǎn。
The weather in the southwest is very hot, remember to bring an umbrella.
西南地区有很多美食，值得一试。
xī nán dì qū yǒu hěn duō měi shí， zhí dé yí shì。
There are many delicious foods in the southwest region, it's worth trying.
Mini dialogue
看地图
A
云南在中国的哪个方向？
Yúnnán zài Zhōngguó de nǎge fāngxiàng?
Which direction is Yunnan in China?
B
云南在中国的西南。
Yúnnán zài Zhōngguó de xīnán.
Yunnan is in the southwest of China.
天气
A
西南地区现在天气怎么样？
Xīnán dìqū xiànzài tiānqì zěnmeyàng?
How is the weather in the southwest region now?
B
西南很温暖，经常下雨。
Xīnán hěn wēnnuǎn, jīngcháng xià yǔ.
The southwest is very warm and often rains.
Related words and contrasts
opposite
东北
dōng běi
northeast
The opposite direction on a compass.
related
方向
fāng xiàng
direction
A general word for the way something points or faces.