左右
zuǒ yòu
The phrase 左右 (zuǒ yòu) in Chinese means left and right.
左右 refers to the two opposite directions of the left side and the right side. Additionally, when this phrase is placed after a number or a quantity, it is used to mean approximately or around.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the characters for left 左 and right 右 respectively.
How do you pronounce it?
zuǒ yòu
Did you know?
- If you say someone is 'manipulating' a situation in Chinese, you might use the verb '左右' (zuǒ yòu), treating the two directions as a verb meaning 'to influence'.
- In Chinese idioms, the phrase 左右为难 (zuǒ yòu wéi nán) uses these directions to describe being 'stuck between a rock and a hard place' or being in a dilemma.
- In ancient Chinese, the 'left' 左 was originally associated with 'helping' or 'assisting', while 'right' 右 was often associated with power and prestige.
Examples in context
- 他左右看了看。He looked left and right.This sentence shows how to use 左右 to describe looking in both directions.Tatoeba #8756388 by crescat, translation #4351264 by CH
- 這把剪刀左右撇子都適用。These scissors are suitable for left and right-handed people.This sentence demonstrates the use of 左右 in the context of left and right-handedness.Tatoeba #4117365 by egg0073, translation #4691043 by Sladey
- 他不會分辨左右。He can't distinguish between left and right.This sentence illustrates the use of 左右 regarding the ability to distinguish between directions.Tatoeba #816895 by Martha, translation #816059 by afeinberg
- 请往左边转弯Please turn left.
- 请往右边走Please walk to the right.
- 十岁左右Around ten years old
Example conversation
Junjie and Xiaowen are walking in a park.
- 俊杰 Junjie这条路左右两边都是树。Zhè tiáo lù zuǒyòu liǎngbiān dōu shì shù.There are trees on both the left and right sides of this road.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen景色真的很漂亮。Jǐngsè zhēn de hěn piàoliang.The scenery is really beautiful.
- 俊杰 Junjie我们左右看看，有没有长椅？Wǒmen zuǒyòu kànkan, yǒu méiyǒu chángyǐ?Let's look left and right to see if there are any benches.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen在那边看到了。Zài nàbiān kàndào le.I saw them over there.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
