Japanese word

右

Pronunciation

Romajimigi

Meaning

  • nounright

Example

本は右にあります。hon wa migi ni a ri ma su

The book is on the right.

Illustration for 右 (right)

More examples

右に曲がります。migi ni ma ga ri ma su

I turn right.

右から二番目の席に座ってください。migi ka ra ni ban me no seki ni suwa tte ku da sa i

Please sit in the second seat from the right.

Core concept

Identifies the side opposite the left side relative to the direction a person or object faces.

Common phrases

  • 右へ曲がるmigi e ma ga ru

    turn right

  • 右から二番目migi ka ra ni ban me

    second from the right

Similar words

右側migigawa: The side that is on the right when facing in a given direction.
右手migite: The right-hand side or the right hand, depending on context.

Definition in Japanese

向いている方向を基準にして、左と反対側に当たる方向。mu i te i ru hō kō o ki jun ni shi te hidari to han tai gawa ni a ta ru hō kō

Word origin

The origin of the native Japanese word みぎ (migi) is uncertain; it is written with 右 (migi, "right"), a Chinese-derived character with the same basic meaning.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English right, 右 (migi) normally means the side opposite left, while the sense of "correct" is usually expressed by 正しい (tadashii).

Opposites

Word lists with this word