sinistra
/siˈnis.tra/
The Italian word for the English adjective 'left' is sinistra.
sinistra is used to describe the west side of the body when facing north. It can also refer to the ensemble of left-wing political parties when used as a noun. When you want to say 'to the left of', you use the phrase a sinistra di.
Meaning: west side of the body when one is facing north (adj)
Which one should you use?
The word sinistra functions as both a physical direction and a political orientation.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, the word must agree with the gender and number of the noun it describes. The feminine singular form is sinistra, which is used with feminine singular nouns like mano (hand). The masculine singular form is sinistro, the masculine plural is sinistri and the feminine plural is sinistre.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /siˈnis.tra/.
Did you know?
- The word sinistro can be used to describe the 'left' side of a building or a room, but it is rarely used to describe a person's left-handedness, which uses mancino.
- In Italian, sinistre can describe a look or a smile that is creepy or unsettling. This usage moves beyond political or physical directions into emotional intuition.
- In some traditional Italian superstitions, starting a journey by stepping out with the sinistra foot was considered a bad omen.
Examples in context
- Marie è di sinistra.Mary is a left-winger.This sentence is useful for describing someone's political orientation using sinistra.Tatoeba #3499877 by Guybrush88, translation #7995058 by soliloquist
- Alza la mano sinistra.Raise your left hand.This sentence demonstrates how to use the feminine singular adjective sinistra.Tatoeba #3527996 by Guybrush88, translation #243565 by CK
- Il bagno è a sinistra.The bathroom's on the left.This sentence shows how to use the adverbial phrase a sinistra to indicate direction.Tatoeba #3829265 by valealb, translation #2644062 by CK
- Il museo è a sinistra.The museum is on the left.
- Il negozio si trova a sinistra del museoThe store is to the left of the museum
- Gira a sinistra al secondo incrocio.Turn left at the second intersection
- 174 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Martina are hiking in the mountains.
- FrancescoHai un graffio sulla guancia sinistra, Martina.You have a scratch on your left cheek, Martina.
- MartinaSì, mi sono urtata contro un ramo.Yes, I bumped into a branch.
- FrancescoTi fa male la zona sinistra del viso?Does the left side of your face hurt?
- MartinaNo, non è molto grave.No, it is not very serious.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sinistra, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
