左 means “left”

Watch: Gen and Shibamaru learn 左

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Where 左 comes from

左 is often explained as a hand (the top part) holding a tool (工).

Stroke order (5 strokes)

1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4
5. 5

Words with 左

• 

  左ひだり

  HIDARI

  left

• 

  左手ひだりて

  HIDARITE

  left hand

• 

  左利きひだりきき

  HIDARIKIKI

  left-handed

• 

  左右さゆう

  SAYUU

  left and right

The part of each word written with 左 is shown in orange. Audio: the readings from our video.

Reading tips

• 左 and 右 (right) look alike, but 左 starts with the horizontal stroke (一), while 右 starts with the slanted stroke (ノ).
• In Japan, cars drive on the left side of the road.

In the video

• Gen左右を 見て わたる！Look left and right, then cross!
• Shibamaruえらいね！Good job!

Example sentences

• えきは 左です。

  EKI WA HIDARI DESU.

  The station is on the left.

• わたしは 左利きです。

  WATASHI WA HIDARIKIKI DESU.

  I am left-handed.

Keep learning kanji

• GENKI I Textbook (3rd Edition)

  Beginner

  A popular first textbook used in many university courses. Each lesson has a dialogue, grammar explanations in English, and plenty of practice.

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• Mitsubishi Unistar B Pencils (12 pack)

  All levels

  Japanese pencils with soft, dark B lead. Easy to write clear kana and kanji strokes.

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