How to Say “Turn Left” in French

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tourner à gauche
To turn left in French is tourner à gauche.
The phrase is used to indicate changing direction by moving toward the left side. If you wish to say 'turn right' instead, you simply replace gauche with droite to say tourner à droite.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of the verb tourner (to turn), the preposition à (at/to) and the noun gauche (left).

Is it said differently in some regions?

In Quebec, Canada, virer à gauche is a common alternative to tourner à gauche for saying 'turn left'.

How does it change in a sentence?

When giving a direct command or instruction, you should use the imperative forms: tournez à gauche for polite or formal address and tourne à gauche for informal address.

Did you know?

  • In French, gauche can be used to describe a person who is clumsy or socially awkward.
  • The word gauche originally meant 'to bend' or 'to warp'.
  • The word gauche is also used in French politics to refer to the 'left wing' or liberal parties.

Examples in context

  • Vous devez tourner à gauche au deuxième feu.
    You must turn left at the second traffic light.
    This sentence shows how to use tourner à gauche when following directions at a traffic light.
    Tatoeba #12232741 by Aiji, translation #792834 by hrin
  • Tom ne sait pas s'il faut tourner à gauche ou à droite.
    Tom doesn't know whether to turn left or right.
    This sentence uses tourner à gauche to show an example of choosing between two directions.
    Tatoeba #1493891 by Rovo, translation #1026068 by CK
  • On n'a pas le droit de tourner à gauche dans cette rue.
    You are not allowed to turn left on this street.
    This sentence uses tourner à gauche to express a prohibition regarding a specific street.
    Tatoeba #2575483 by sacredceltic, translation #681575 by Source_VOA
  • Bien sûr, continuez tout droit puis tournez à gauche au feu.
    Sure, go straight ahead, then turn left at the traffic light.
  • Ouais, tu vas tout droit puis tu tournes à gauche après la boulangerie.
    Yeah, you go straight ahead, then turn left after the bakery.
  • 2 more sentences on Tatoeba

Example conversation

Chloé is giving Nathan directions while he is driving.

  1. Chloé

    Tu dois tourner à gauche ici.
    You have to turn left here.
  2. Nathan

    Est-ce que c'est après le pont ?
    Is it after the bridge?
  3. Chloé

    Oui, tourne à gauche juste après.
    Yes, turn left just after.
  4. Nathan

    D'accord, j'ai compris.
    Okay, I got it.

Sources

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Jayden Elliot
Jayden ElliotHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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