лево
levo
The Russian word for left is лево (levo).
The term refers to the west side of the body when one is facing north. It can be used as a noun referring to the ensemble of left-wing political parties, known as ле́вый.
Meaning: west side of the body when one is facing north (adj)
Which one should you use?
The word левый is an adjective used to describe a noun, whereas the adverb сле́ва is used to indicate position, such as saying something is 'on the left'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the adjective to describe a noun, the form must agree with the noun's gender. Use the masculine form левый, the feminine form левая (such as for the noun рука, meaning hand) or the neuter form левое.
How do you pronounce it?
levo
Did you know?
- The word лево is the root for левый, but in common speech, the phrase налево can also be a euphemism for cheating on a romantic partner.
- In many Russian contexts, the word левый can be used as slang for 'fake', 'dodgy', or 'unreliable'. If someone calls a person or an object левый, they are implying it is not genuine.
- The Russian word for 'left-handed' is левша, a term that historically carried a negative connotation of being clumsy or unlucky.
Examples in context
- Он пишет левой рукой.He writes with his left hand.This example shows how to use the form лево in the context of writing with a hand.Tatoeba #7576944 by odexed, translation #7391964 by CH
- Том пишет левой рукой.Tom writes left-handed.This example shows how to use the form лево to describe someone as being left-handed.Tatoeba #3933874 by marafon, translation #4499099 by CK
- Тим пишет левой рукой.Tim writes with his left hand.Tatoeba #13867235 by marafon, translation #1542256 by SHamp
- Левая сторона зданияLeft side of the building
- Это слеваIt is on the left
- Идите налевоGo to the left
- Она живет на левой стороне улицы.She lives on the left side of the street.
- Поверните налево на следующем светофоре.Turn left at the next traffic light.
- 131 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anastasia is helping Dmitry put on a jacket.
- Анастасия AnastasiaПротяни лево руку сюда.Protyaniy levo ruku syuda.Stretch your left hand here.
- Дмитрий DmitryВот она, Анастасия.Vot ona, Anastasiya.Here it is, Anastasia.
- Анастасия AnastasiaТеперь засунь лево плечо в рукав.Teper zasunC levo plecho v rukav.Now put your left shoulder in the sleeve.
- Дмитрий DmitryСпасибо, теперь всё удобно.Spasibo, teper' vsyo udobno.Thanks, it's comfortable now.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
