左
zo²
The Cantonese word for left is 左 (zo²).
The term refers to the west side of the body when a person is facing north. When used in the phrase 左右, it can mean 'left and right' or, when placed after a number, 'approximately' or 'around'.
Meaning: west side of the body when one is facing north (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 左 means left. The term for left hand, 左手, is formed by combining 左 with 手, which means hand.
Which one should you use?
The antonym of 左 is 右, which means right.
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify the 'left side' of an object or an area, you add the suffix 邊 to 左 to form 左邊.
How do you pronounce it?
zo²
Did you know?
- The character 左 is a pictograph that originally depicted a left hand holding a tool, which is why it shares a root with words for 'assisting' in older forms of the language.
- Ancient Chinese astrology and medicine often assigned different elemental properties to the 左 and 右 sides of the body, influencing how traditional practitioners treat patients.
- In traditional Chinese culture and certain historical contexts, the 'left' was often considered the superior or more honorable side, contrary to some Western associations where the 'right' is seen as more correct.
Examples in context
- 佢左右不分。He can't distinguish between left and right.This example shows how to use 左 in the context of distinguishing directions.Tatoeba #10645915 by clowergen, translation #816059 by afeinberg
- 由左數起第五個人。Kiss the fifth man from the left.This example shows how to use 左 to count positions from the left.Tatoeba #678911 by nickyeow, translation #243544 by Scott
- 左邊嘅車門將會打開。The doors on the left side will open.This example shows how to use 左 to indicate a side of an object.Tatoeba #840827 by nickyeow, translation #438731 by beauzavier
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jun Kit and Ya Ting are looking at a painting together.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit雅婷，你覺得左邊嗰幅畫靚唔靚？aa tsing, nei jyu dik zo bin go fuk wa leng m leng?Ya Ting, do you think the painting on the left is beautiful?
- 雅婷 Nga Ting我覺得右邊嗰幅更加靚。ngo jyu dik jau bin go fuk gang gaa leng.I think the one on the right is even more beautiful.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit但我比較鍾意左面嗰個顏色。daan ngo bei gaau zung ji zo min go go jan sik.But I prefer the colors on the left side.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting係喎，左邊個色確實比較搶眼。hai wo, zo bin go sik cak sat bei gaau coeng ngaan.You're right, the colors on the left are indeed more eye-catching.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “left” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
