Guide: How to Say “Left” in Cantonese

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “left” in Cantonese! Whether you’re planning a trip to Hong Kong, engaging with Cantonese-speaking friends, or simply interested in learning a new language, this guide will provide you with formal and informal ways to express the word “left” in Cantonese, along with some useful tips and examples.

Formal Terms for “Left” in Cantonese

Formal terms are generally used in professional settings, formal conversations, or when addressing strangers. Here are the most common ways to say “left” formally in Cantonese:

1. 左 (jo2): This is the standard word for “left” in Cantonese. It is pronounced as “jo” with a rising tone. For example, if you want to say “turn left,” you can say “轉左” (zyun1 jo2).
2. 左邊 (jo2 bin1): This is a slightly more descriptive term for “left.” It translates to “left side” in English. For instance, “on the left” can be expressed as “喺左邊” (hei2 jo2 bin1) in Cantonese.

Informal Terms for “Left” in Cantonese

Informal terms are commonly used among friends, family, or in casual conversations. They provide a friendlier and more colloquial way to say “left” in Cantonese. Let’s explore the casual expressions for “left” below:

1. 左手邊 (jo2 sau2 bin1): This informal term literally means “left-hand side” and is frequently used in spoken Cantonese. For example, you can say “佢喺我左手邊” (keoi5 hai2 ngo5 jo2 sau2 bin1) to say “He/she is on my left.”
2. 左邊度 (jo2 bin1 dou6): This phrase is an informal way to refer to the direction “left.” For instance, if someone asks you, “Where is the bank?” and it’s to your left, you can reply, “銀行喺左邊度” (ngan4 hong4 hai2 jo2 bin1 dou6).

Additional Tips and Examples

Here are some additional tips and examples to help you further when using the term for “left” in Cantonese:

1. Body Orientation:

In Cantonese, you can also refer to body orientation when talking about directions. For example, if you want to say “turn your body to the left,” you can say “身體轉左邊” (san1 tai2 zyun1 jo2 bin1). This phrase emphasizes the direction in relation to one’s own body.

2. Regional Variations:

Cantonese has variations in vocabulary and pronunciation across different regions. While the terms mentioned earlier are commonly understood in most areas, it’s worth noting that some regions may have their unique variants. However, these regional differences are relatively minimal and won’t hinder communication.

3. Politeness Matters:

In Cantonese culture, expressing politeness is highly valued. Adding appropriate honorifics, such as calling someone “先生” (sin1 saang1) for Mister or “小姐” (siu2 ze2) for Miss, can enhance the formality and politeness of your conversation.

Example: “Turn left, Mr. Wong.”
In Cantonese: “先生，轉左邊” (sin1 saang1, zyun1 jo2 bin1).

4. Practice and Immersion:

Learning a new language takes time and practice. Immersing yourself in Cantonese-speaking environments, watching movies or TV shows, and conversing with native speakers will greatly enhance your grasp of the language and its usage.

Remember, it’s essential to be patient with yourself and focus on the progress you make along the way.