Chinese word

左

Pronunciation

Pinyinzuǒ

Meaning

  • adjectiveleft

Example

请向左转。qǐng xiàng zuó zhuǎn

Please turn left.

Illustration for 左 (left)

More examples

他用左手写字。tā yòng zuó shǒu xiě zì

He writes with his left hand.

Core concept

A position beside the center on the viewer's left when facing forward.

Common phrases

  • 左手zuó shǒu

    left hand

  • 左边zuǒ biān

    left side

Similar words

右yòu: Located on the right when facing forward, especially for giving directions or describing position.

Definition in Chinese

表示方位，指观者面向前时的左侧，常用于指路或描述位置。biǎo shì fāng wèi zhǐ guān zhě miàn xiàng qián shí de zuǒ cè cháng yòng yú zhǐ lù huò miáo shù wèi zhì

Word origin

The ancient character 左 (zuǒ, "left") is linked to the left hand, so a body-based reference became the name for that side.

Usage tips

  • Chinese commonly places a direction before the action in road guidance, whereas English commonly places the direction after the action.

Other meanings

  • left sidenoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word