Chinese word

左转

Pronunciation

Pinyinzuǒ zhuǎn

Meaning

  • verbturn left

Example

前面的路口能左转吗？qián miàn de lù kǒu néng zuó zhuǎn ma

Can we turn left at the intersection ahead?

Illustration for 左转 (turn left)

More examples

到下个路口记得左转。dào xià gè lù kǒu jì de zuó zhuǎn

Remember to turn left at the next intersection.

Core concept

At a junction, a person or vehicle redirects its movement onto the left-hand branch.

Common phrases

  • 在这里左转zài zhè lǐ zuó zhuǎn

    turn left here

  • 在下个路口左转zài xià gè lù kǒu zuó zhuǎn

    turn left at the next intersection

  • 请左转qǐng zuó zhuǎn

    Please turn left

Similar words

左拐zuǒ guǎi: Turn left in casual spoken directions or conversation.
向左转xiàng zuó zhuǎn: Change course toward the left while moving along a road.
左转弯zuǒ zhuǎn wān: Make a left turn and continue along the road.
拐弯guǎi wān: Turn on a road and change the direction of travel.

Definition in Chinese

向左转弯或改变行进方向，常用于指车辆或行人在路口等处向左行驶或行走。xiàng zuó zhuǎn wān huò gǎi biàn xíng jìn fāng xiàng cháng yòng yú zhǐ chē liàng huò xíng rén zài lù kǒu děng chù xiàng zuǒ xíng shǐ huò xíng zǒu

Word origin

左 (zuǒ, "left") names the left side, and 转 (zhuǎn, "turn") names a change of direction, so the compound describes changing course toward the left.

Usage tips

  • In road questions, 能 (néng, "can") before this verb asks whether the maneuver is permitted or possible, so the question can concern traffic rules rather than physical ability.

Other meanings

  • left turnnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 左转弯zuǒ zhuǎn wānleft turnnoun
  • 左转灯zuǒ zhuǎn dēngleft-turn signalnoun

Word lists with this word