Japanese Conversation · Level 26
90 words
Japanese word
左右
Pronunciation
Romajisayū
Meaning
- nounleft and right
Example
歩く前に左右を見ます。aru ku mae ni sa yū o mi ma su
I look left and right before walking.
More examples
道の左右に桜の木が並んでいます。michi no sa yū ni sakura no ki ga nara n de i ma su
Cherry trees line both sides of the road.
Core concept
Describes the two opposite horizontal directions considered together.
Common phrases
左右を見るsa yū o mi ru
look left and right
左右を確認するsa yū o kaku nin su ru
check both sides
左右の違いsa yū no chiga i
difference between left and right
Similar words
両側ryōgawa: Refers to the two sides of an object, place, or line.
両脇ryōwaki: Refers to the two sides immediately next to a person or object.
Definition in Japanese
基準となる位置から見て左と右の両方。ki jun to na ru i chi ka ra mi te hidari to migi no ryō hō
Word origin
左右 (sayū) combines 左 (sa, "left") and 右 (yū, "right"), using their on-yomi readings to mean "left and right" together.
Usage tips
- 左右 (sayū) also describes the left and right sides of a person's body, including the hands, feet, and eyes as a pair.