tourner à gauche
To say "go left" in French, use tourner à gauche.
The phrase is used to indicate a change of direction by turning toward the left side.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb tourner (to turn), the preposition à (to/at) and the noun gauche (left).
Which one should you use?
You will often use imperative forms like tourne à gauche, tournez à gauche or Prenez la direction de gauche when actually giving directions.
How does it change in a sentence?
When giving directions to a single person you know well, use the imperative form tourne à gauche. When giving directions to a group or a stranger, use the imperative form tournez à gauche.
Did you know?
- In French, the word gauche can also be used as an adjective meaning 'clumsy' or 'awkward'. This stems from its historical association with being 'warped' or 'deviating' from a straight path.
- The word gauche was not always the standard term for 'left' in French. In the sixteenth century, it replaced the older, Latin-derived word senestre.
- The word gauche is used in the phrase main gauche for 'left hand' and also appears in the term gauche to describe left-wing political views.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi, pour aller au musée, allez à gauche à ce feu.Excuse me, to go to the museum, go left at this traffic light.
- Prenez la première rue et tournez à gauche.Take the first street and turn left.
- Il faut tourner à gauche au feu.You must turn left at the traffic light.
- On doit tourner à gauche ici.We have to turn left here.
Example conversation
Nathan is giving Manon driving directions.
- ManonOù est la banque, Nathan ?Where is the bank, Nathan?
- NathanTu dois tourner à gauche au prochain carrefour.You must turn left at the next intersection.
- ManonD'accord, je tourne à gauche.Okay, I'm turning left.
- NathanC'est ça, tu y es presque.That's it, you are almost there.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gauche, tourner, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
