Japanese word

左手

Pronunciation

Romajihidarite

Meaning

  • nounleft hand

Example

私は左手で字を書きます。watashi wa hidari te de ji o ka ki ma su

I write with my left hand.

Illustration for 左手 (left hand)

More examples

右手がふさがっていたので、かばんを左手に持ちました。migi te ga fu sa ga tte i ta no de ka ba n o hidari te ni mo chi ma shi ta

Because my right hand was occupied, I carried the bag in my left hand.

Core concept

Refers to the left-side hand and, in spatial descriptions, the area or direction to a person's left.

Common phrases

  • 左手で食べるhidari te de ta be ru

    eat with the left hand

  • 左手を上げるhidari te o a ge ru

    raise the left hand

  • 左手で持つhidari te de mo tsu

    hold with the left hand

Definition in Japanese

左右一対の手のうち、左側に位置する手。sa yū ichi tai no te no u chi hidari gawa ni i chi su ru te

Word origin

左手 (hidarite) combines 左 (hidari, "left") with 手 (te, "hand"), forming the native Japanese word for the hand on the left side of the body.

Usage tips

  • Japanese speakers use 左手 (hidarite) in practical instructions about carrying, holding, or operating something with the left hand.

Opposites

Word lists with this word