Usage Note
Nord-est is invariable and functions as both noun and adjective, always hyphenated. It can describe a direction, a wind, or a region: le vent du nord-est (the northeast wind), la région nord-est (the northeastern region). French compass points are not capitalised in ordinary usage unless they form part of a proper place name.
Examples
"Le vent souffle du nord-est ce matin."
Natural Translation
The wind is blowing from the northeast this morning.

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