Põhjalõunasuunas

Põhjalõunasuunas is an Estonian compound word. It describes a direction. The word is formed by combining "põhja" which means north, and "lõunasuunas" which translates to "in the southern direction" or "southwards." Therefore, "põhjalõunasuunas" literally means "north-southwards."

This term is used to indicate a movement or orientation that is generally from north to south, or vice versa, encompassing a broad range of directions within that axis. It is not a precise compass bearing but rather a general description of travel or positioning along the north-south line. For instance, a migratory bird might travel põhjalõunasuunas, indicating it is moving from a northern region to a southern one. Similarly, a road could be described as running põhjalõunasuunas if its primary orientation is along the north-south meridian.

In everyday Estonian language, the use of põhjalõunasuunas is understood to convey this general directional intent. It's a descriptive term that avoids the need for more specific directional terms when the exact angle is not critical or is understood from context. It suggests a movement or alignment that spans the north-south divide.