Southern/south (region of the country)

Question

Hi!This is always confusing to me.  When I am talking of the "south part of my country".  Should I use "southern" or "south"? I guess is "southern region of the country"... but, why?  What is the difference?Could you help me?Thanks!Hellen V.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

I live in southern Brazil. I live in southern France. I live in southern Japan.
It happened in southern Brazil / France / Japan.

I live in the southern [part / region] of Brazil / France / Japan.

I don't say south part of ...

Maybe others will have different ideas.

CJ

Cool Breeze · Answer

If you refer to a country or a part of a continent:

West Germany, South America, South Africa.

There are some exceptions: Northern Ireland, and South Wales, for instance.
If you mean the southern, western etc. part of a country, you can choose: He lives in the south of Italy; or: He lives in southern Italy.

In other words, southern/Southern Africa and South Africa are not the same thing.

Cheers
CB

Southern/south (region of the country)

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