gauche et droite
The French phrase for "left and right" is gauche et droite.
This phrase is used to refer to the two opposite directions relative to a person's sides.
Which one should you use?
While gauche is the word for the direction "left", be aware that when used as an adjective to describe a person, it can also mean "clumsy" or "socially awkward".
Did you know?
- In French politics, the terms gauche and droite are used to describe the political left and right, reflecting the seating arrangement of the National Assembly during the French Revolution.
- The word gauche is a distant relative of the English word 'walk', as both trace back to Frankish roots meaning to move or tread.
- Because droite is based on the word for 'straight' or 'correct', the French word for 'law' or 'a right' is droit, making the direction and legal rights linguistically identical.
Examples in context
- Tournez à gauche!Turn left!
- Tournez à droite!Turn right!
- Ma main gaucheMy left hand
- Mon pied droitMy right foot
- Mon oreille gaucheMy left ear
- Mon œil droitMy right eye
- Tournez à gauche et puis à droite.Turn left and then right.
Example conversation
Chloé is giving Nathan directions on a street.
- ChloéRegarde bien à gauche et droite, Nathan.Look carefully left and right, Nathan.
- NathanJe ne vois pas le bâtiment.I don't see the building.
- ChloéC'est juste après le feu.It's just after the light.
- NathanAh, je le vois maintenant !Ah, I see it now!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries droite, et, gauche, CC BY-SA 4.0.
