左转
zuǒ zhuǎn
To turn left in Chinese is 左转 (zuǒ zhuǎn).
The phrase 左转 is used to instruct someone to change direction and move toward the left side.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the character for 'left' (左) and the verb for 'to turn' (转).
Which one should you use?
While 左转 is the standard way to say 'turn left', adding 向 (xiàng) before it to create 向左转 makes the phrase more formal or descriptive, meaning 'turn towards the left'.
How do you pronounce it?
zuǒ zhuǎn
Did you know?
- The character for 'left' 左 contains a component that originally depicted a hand holding a tool, reflecting how ancient Chinese categorized directions by activity.
- In some traditional Chinese contexts, 'left' was historically associated with the feminine and 'right' with the masculine, influencing how certain ceremonial movements were performed.
- While 左转 means 'turn left', the word 左 can also imply 'political left' or 'radical' in modern Chinese political discourse.
Examples in context
- 下一个街角左转。Turn left at the next corner.This sentence is useful for learning how to use 左转 when specifying a location like the next corner.Tatoeba #746056 by fucongcong, translation #264209 by autuno
- 请在那个拐角左转。Turn left at the corner.This sentence is useful for using 左转 when directing someone to a specific corner.Tatoeba #3630206 by suitchic, translation #48961 by CK
- 左转!Turn left!This sentence is useful for using 左转 as a direct command.Tatoeba #2158931 by faraway9911, translation #2158930 by faraway9911
- 请向左转Please turn left
- 沿这条路一直走，然后向左转。Keep walking along this road, then turn left.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man is giving driving directions to a woman.
- 浩然 Haoran浩然说：快到了，在前面左转。Hàorán shuō: Kuài dàole, zài qiánmiàn zuǒzhuǎn.Haoran says: We are almost there, turn left ahead.
- 佳怡 Jiayi佳怡问：是要在那个路口左转吗？Jiāyí wèn: Shì yào zài nàgè lùkǒu zuǒzhuǎn ma?Jiayi asks: Do I need to turn left at that intersection?
- 浩然 Haoran浩然点头：是的，就在那里左转。Hàorán diǎntóu: Shì de, jiù zài nàlǐ zuǒzhuǎn.Haoran nods: Yes, turn left right there.
- 佳怡 Jiayi佳怡回答：好的，我知道了。Jiāyí huídá: Hǎo de, wǒ zhīdào le.Jiayi replies: Okay, I understand.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
