esquerda
/isˈkeʁ.dɐ/
The Portuguese word for the left side of the body is esquerda.
esquerda is an adjective used to describe the left side, such as the west side of the body when facing north. It is also used as a noun to refer to the ensemble of left-wing political parties, similar to its usage in English.
Meaning: west side of the body when one is facing north (adj)
Which one should you use?
The opposite of esquerda is direita (right).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to use 'left' as an adverbial phrase to indicate direction or position, such as 'on the left' or 'to the left', you must use the contraction à esquerda.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /isˈkeʁ.dɐ/.
Did you know?
- The word esquerda actually comes from the Basque word ezkerra, rather than from Latin roots like many other Romance languages.
- The opposite of esquerda is direita, which also means 'straight' or 'correct' in certain contexts, implying that 'right' is the natural path.
- While esquerda means left, the word canhota is specifically used for the left hand, creating a distinction between direction and anatomy.
Examples in context
- É à sua esquerda.It's to your left.This sentence shows how to use esquerda to indicate something is to your left.Tatoeba #5314746 by carlosalberto, translation #4215820 by megamanenm
- Fica ali à esquerda.It's there to the left.This sentence uses esquerda to describe something located to the left.Tatoeba #2854449 by carlosalberto, translation #403079 by Ramses
- A saída é à esquerda.The exit is on the left.This sentence demonstrates using esquerda to indicate the location of an exit.Tatoeba #8621650 by JGEN, translation #8618987 by CK
- Por favor, vire à esquerda na próxima rua.Please turn left at the next street.
- A sala de reuniões fica à esquerda.The meeting room is on the left.
- Os livros estão na estante à esquerda da porta.The books are on the shelf to the left of the door.
- O seu sapato esquerdo está desamarrado.Your left shoe is untied.
- A cafeteria fica no lado esquerdo do prédio principal.The cafeteria is on the left side of the main building.
- 112 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Rodrigo are walking through a mall.
- JulianaOnde fica a loja de sapatos?Where is the shoe store?
- RodrigoVire à esquerda depois daquele café.Turn left after that cafe.
- JulianaÉ logo ali à esquerda?Is it right there on the left?
- RodrigoSim, é exatamente aí.Yes, it is exactly there.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry esquerda, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries esquerda, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
