左
hidari[çida̠ɾʲi]
The Japanese word for left is 左 (hidari).
左 refers to the west side of the body when one is facing north.
Meaning: west side of the body when one is facing north (adj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To use left as an adjective to modify a noun, such as 'the left hand', use the form 左の (hidari no). To indicate direction or movement toward the left, such as 'turn left', add the particle に to form 左に (hidari ni). When specifically referring to the 'left hand', the word 左手 (hidari te) is often used, combining the characters for left and hand.
How do you pronounce it?
hidari
Did you know?
- The phrase 左様 (sayō) means 'that is so' or 'correct' and literally contains the character for 左 (left).
- In ancient Japanese court protocol, the 左 (left) side was considered the position of higher honor and status than the right.
- In some traditional Japanese arts, the 'left' side of a composition is used to represent the past or the beginning, while the right represents the future.
Examples in context
- 左利きなの？Are you left-handed?This sentence uses 左 to ask about being left-handed.Tatoeba #12072718 by small_snow, translation #9095548 by CK
- 左に曲がって。Turn left.This sentence uses 左 to give a direction to turn.Tatoeba #5253128 by nihonjin, translation #464284 by lukaszpp
- 左側通行です。Keep to the left.This sentence uses 左 to indicate keeping to the left side.Tatoeba #9477577 by bunbuku, translation #243568 by CK
- 店の出口は 左 です。The exit of the store is on the left.
- あの公園は 左 にあります。That park is on the left.
- 145 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are looking at a painting in a gallery.
- 美咲 Misaki左の絵が一番好きです。Hidari no e ga ichiban suki desu.I like the painting on the left the most.
- 健太 Kenta僕は右のほうがいいな。Boku wa migi no hou ga ii na.I prefer the one on the right.
- 美咲 Misaki左のほうが色が明るいですよ。Hidari no hou ga iro ga akarui desu yo.The one on the left has brighter colors.
- 健太 Kenta確かにそうですね。Tashika ni sou desu ne.That is true.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “left” translations and entries 左, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
