German Phrase
Wo ist Norden auf dieser Karte?
Meaning
The speaker is asking for the position of the north direction on a specific map. It is a straightforward way to request orientation when looking at a printed or digital map.
When to use
Use this sentence in a classroom when discussing geography, during a travel briefing, or anytime you need to confirm the map’s orientation with a native speaker.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WoistNordenaufdieserKarte?
Wo (question word)
Used to ask about location or place, equivalent to 'where' in English.
ist (verb "sein")
Third‑person singular present of "sein"; here it links the subject (Norden) with its location.
Norden (noun, masculine)
The cardinal direction 'north'. In German it can appear without an article when used as a proper name of a direction.
auf (preposition)
Means 'on' and governs the dative case; it introduces the surface where something is located.
dieser (demonstrative pronoun)
Declined to dative feminine to match "Karte" (dieser Karte).
Karte (noun, feminine)
Means 'map'. In the dative case after "auf" it becomes "Karte" (no ending change).
🗨In Conversation
Wo ist Norden auf dieser Karte?
Where is north on this map?
Norden ist oben, dort wo das N‑Symbol steht.
North is at the top, where the N‑symbol is.
✕Common Mistakes
Wo ist der Norden auf dieser Karte?
When asking about a direction you normally omit the article; say "Wo ist Norden..." not "Wo ist der Norden..."
Wo ist Norden auf diese Karte?
The preposition "auf" requires the dative case, so the demonstrative must be "dieser" (dative feminine).
Norden ist oben.
While correct as an answer, using "oben" alone can be ambiguous; it’s clearer to reference the compass rose or the "N" symbol.
↔Alternatives
Wo befindet sich Norden auf dieser Karte?
Where is north located on this map?
Wo liegt Norden auf dieser Karte?
Where does north lie on this map?
Könntest du mir zeigen, wo Norden ist?
Could you show me where north is?
Cultural Tip
German maps almost always place north at the top, but older nautical charts or some thematic maps may be oriented differently. When you’re unsure, look for the compass rose (the little "N" symbol). In informal speech Germans often drop the article before cardinal directions, saying "Norden" instead of "der Norden".