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Japanese vocabulary · Beginner
How do you say "left" in Japanese?
左
hidari
In Japanese, "left" is 左 (hidari).
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Pronunciation
左 is written using kanji. Romanised as hidari, it sounds roughly like "hee-dah-ree" to an English ear.
Writing and usage
Hidari (左) is one of the first directional words learners encounter. It is simple, very common, and is also used as a personal or place name.
Example sentence
次の角を左に曲がってください。
Tsugi no kado wo hidari ni magatte kudasai.
Please turn left at the next corner.
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How to remember 左
Hidari (左) is used constantly in directions. Imagine pointing your left hand and saying hidari. It appears in names like Hidari Jingoro, a famous sculptor.
Related words
Browse all Japanese words in the glossary.
Questions about 左
How do you pronounce 左?
左 is romanised as hidari. Say it roughly like "hee-dah-ree" in English. Each Japanese syllable has even weight, so keep the rhythm steady.
Is 左 formal or casual?
左 is a neutral, everyday word that works in both casual and polite speech. The level of formality comes from the sentence structure around it, not from the word itself.
How is 左 written in Japanese?
左 is written using kanji. Hidari (左) is one of the first directional words learners encounter.
Where can I practice Japanese words for free?
You can play free Japanese minigames in your browser on the Noun Town online games page, with no sign-up needed. Every word in the Japanese glossary also has native audio and an example sentence you can revisit any time.
"Left" in other languages
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