gauche
/ɡoʃ/
The French word for 'left' (the west side of the body when facing north) is gauche.
In a figurative sense, it can also be used to describe someone who is socially awkward or clumsy. To refer to the ensemble of left-wing political parties, the word gauche is used as a noun. If you want to express the direction 'to the left' or the position 'on the left', use the adverbial phrase à gauche instead of the adjective alone. To specifically describe a person who is left-handed, use the noun gaucher for a male or gauchère for a female.
Meaning: west side of the body when one is facing north (adj)
Which one should you use?
While gauche is the adjective, use the phrase à gauche when acting as an adverb of direction or position. To describe a person's handedness, switch to the nouns gaucher or gauchère.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Its feminine form is also gauche and its plural form is gauches.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡoʃ/
Did you know?
- Before the sixteenth century, French used the word senestre for 'left', which comes from Latin.
- While gauche is used for political leftists, the term droite for the right is often used to denote 'straightness' or 'correctness' in other contexts.
Examples in context
- Il a viré à gauche.He made a sharp turn to the left.This sentence shows how to use gauche to indicate a change in direction.Tatoeba #13169651 by zogwarg, translation #564573 by CK
- Lève la main gauche.Raise your left hand.This sentence demonstrates using gauche as an adjective for a body part.Tatoeba #8365 by sacredceltic, translation #243565 by CK
- Tom est-il gaucher ?Is Tom left-handed?This sentence uses gauche to ask about someone's handedness.Tatoeba #8648834 by Micsmithel, translation #3620366 by CK
- Tournez à gauche à la prochaine intersectionTurn left at the next intersection.
- La bibliothèque se trouve du côté gaucheThe library is located on the left side.
- Prenez la première rue à gaucheTake the first street on the left.
- Le magasin est juste à ta gaucheThe store is right on your left.
- 313 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa is helping Hugo put on a jacket.
- LéaTa manche gauche est coincée.Your left sleeve is stuck.
- HugoAh oui, je ne l'avais pas vue.Oh yes, I hadn't seen it.
- LéaLaisse-moi t'aider avec le bras gauche.Let me help you with your left arm.
- HugoMerci beaucoup, Léa.Thank you very much, Léa.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “left” translations and entries gauche, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gauche, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
