چپ
čap/ˈt͡ʃap/
The English word "left" is translated into Persian as چپ (čap).
چپ is used to refer to the west side of the body when facing north. It can function as an adjective, such as in "left hand," or as an adverb when giving directions, such as "turn left." To specify the "left side" or a specific direction, the word سمت (meaning direction or side) is often added before it, forming سمت چپ.
Meaning: west side of the body when one is facing north (adj)
Which one should you use?
The term چپ is the opposite of راست, which means "right."
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word is romanized as čap and pronounced /ˈtʃap/.
Did you know?
- The phrase چپ نگاه کردن literally means 'to look to the left', but it actually means to look at someone with disdain or suspicion.
- In Persian culture, the چپ or left side is traditionally associated with impurity and bad luck. This is why certain tasks, like eating or passing items, are avoided with the left hand.
- The word چپ is actually a distant relative of the English word 'change', both stemming from ancient roots describing something 'bent' or 'crooked'.
Examples in context
- تاکسی ناگهانی به چپ پیچید.The taxi abruptly turned left.This sentence shows how چپ is used as an adverb for movement.Tatoeba #7838319 by cojiluc, translation #50276 by CM
- بازوی چپم سوزن‌سوزن می‌شود.My left arm is tingling.This sentence shows how چپ is used as an adjective for body parts.Tatoeba #12879124 by Amirreza_Farid, translation #5746263 by CM
- عربی از راست به چپ خوانده می شود.Arabic is read from right to left.This sentence shows how چپ is used to describe direction in reading/writing.Tatoeba #4294115 by deadmarshal, translation #4292049 by Youmu970
- من به سمت چپ می‌روم.I am going to the left.
- تو از چپش برو.Go from the left.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zahra and Reza are organizing their belongings.
- زهرا Zahraدست چپت را بده به من.Dast-e chap-at ra bedeh be man.Give me your left hand.
- رضا Rezaببخشید، این دست راست من است.Bebakhshid, in dast-e rast-e man ast.Sorry, this is my right hand.
- زهرا Zahraآهان، پس دست چپت کجاست؟Ahan, pas dast-e chap-at kojast?Oh, so where is your left hand?
- رضا Rezaاینجاست، بفرما.Injast, befarmā.It is here, here you go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “left” translations and entries چپ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries چپ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
