왼쪽
oenjjok[ˈwe̞(ː)ɲt͡ɕ͈o̞k̚]
The English word "left" is translated into Korean as 왼쪽 (oenjjok). If unsure, use 왼쪽. Wiktionary also lists 왼 (oen).
Meaning: west side of the body when one is facing north (adj)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 왼쪽 | oenjjok | [ˈwe̞(ː)ɲt͡ɕ͈o̞k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈø̞(ː)ɲt͡ɕ͈o̞k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 왼 | oen | [we̞n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ø̞n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
왼쪽 refers to the west side of the body when a person is facing north. It can be used as a noun or an adjective to describe something located on the left. For example, you can use it to describe a 왼쪽 문 (left door) or a 왼쪽 주머니 (left pocket). In a political context, the term for the ensemble of left-wing political parties is 좌익.
What does it mean word for word?
The prefix 왼 means "left".
Which one should you use?
왼쪽 is the standard term for the left side, while its antonym is 오른쪽, which means the right side.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate direction, such as moving toward the left, you add the particle 으로 to the word to form 왼쪽으로. To indicate a location, such as being on the left side, you can use the form 왼쪽에.
How do you pronounce it?
oenjjok
Did you know?
- The word 왼 originates from a Middle Korean verb 외다 which meant 'to be wrong'.
- In some traditional contexts, the left hand was historically viewed as less 'pure' than the right hand for certain rituals.
- In traditional Korean culture, the 'right' side was historically associated with the higher social rank or the 'correct' path.
Examples in context
- 왼쪽으로 돌아.Turn left.This sentence is useful for practicing the direction with 왼.Tatoeba #8368156 by Eunhee, translation #464284 by lukaszpp
- 팀은 왼손잡이다.Tim is left-handed.This sentence shows how to use 왼 in the context of being left-handed.Tatoeba #11106699 by intertime, translation #10252174 by bekindtoall
- 내리는 문이 오른쪽인데 왼쪽이라고 표시해 놨다.The exit door is on the right, but it’s marked as being on the left.This sentence illustrates the use of 왼 when describing a label or position.Tatoeba #13905811 by Lumi, translation #13905812 by Lumi
- 회의실은 맞은편에 있습니다. 왼쪽으로 가세요.The meeting room is on the opposite side. Please go to the left.
- 학교는 큰 건물 왼쪽에 위치해 있어요.The school is located on the left side of the big building.
- 너 왼쪽에 앉아.Sit on the left side.
- 왼쪽으로 돌아가세요.Turn to the left.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are looking for a specific cafe in the city.
- 민준 Min-jun왼쪽 길에 카페가 있어?oenjjok gil-e kape-ga isseo?Is there a cafe on the left road?
- 수빈 Su-bin아니, 오른쪽 길에 있어.ani, oreunjjok gil-e isseo.No, it is on the right road.
- 민준 Min-jun아, 그럼 왼쪽이 아니라 오른쪽이구나.a, geureom oenjjoki anira oreunjjok-i-guna.Ah, so it is the right, not the left.
- 수빈 Su-bin응, 저기 골목을 돌아가면 돼.eung, jeogi golmok-eul doragamyeon dwae.Yes, just go around that alleyway.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “left” translations and entries 왼쪽, 왼, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 왼, 왼쪽, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
