How to Say "Right" in Chinese

右

yòu/joʊ̯⁵¹/

In Chinese, the word for the direction 右 (yòu) is the term for right, meaning the opposite of left.

If you want to refer specifically to the 'right side' as a location, it is common to add the suffix 边 to form 右边.

Meaning: of direction, opposite of left (adj)

Is it said differently in some regions?

The form ю (iu) is used in Dungan.

The romanization is yòu and the IPA is /joʊ̯⁵¹/.

The Chinese word for 'friend' 友 is derived from the word for 'right' 右. This suggests an ancient conceptual link between being on someone's right side and being their companion.
In traditional Chinese culture, the 'right' side was historically associated with different social or spiritual values than the 'left' side, influencing how directions are used in ritual architecture.

我往右拐了。
I turned right.
The first sentence uses 右 to describe turning in a direction.
Tatoeba #406244 by GlossaMatik, translation #258392 by CK
舉起你的右臂。
Lift your right arm.
The second sentence uses 右 to identify a specific limb.
Tatoeba #6119488 by verdastelo9604, translation #6049398 by mailohilohi
他左右看了看。
He looked left and right.
The third sentence uses 右 as part of the phrase for looking left and right.
Tatoeba #8756388 by crescat, translation #4351264 by CH
你的答案是正确的。
Your answer is correct.
对，你是对的。
Yes, you're right.
这个结论确实是对的。
This conclusion is indeed correct.
对，我同意你的观点。
Right, I agree with your point of view.
好，我们明天见面。
Alright, let's meet tomorrow.
没错，这就是我要找的东西。
That's right, this is exactly what I'm looking for.
61 more sentences on Tatoeba

Zihan and Wei are looking for a specific store in a mall.

Sources

Wiktionary, “right” translations and entries 右, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries 右, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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