What does 左 mean in Japanese?
左 means “left” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 左 (left), 左手 (left hand), and 左側 (left side).
For learners, the key is to study 左 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related kanji.
Reading
On’yomi: サ (sa)
Kun’yomi: ひだり (hidari)
Basic Information
| Kanji | 左 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | left |
| Stroke Count | 5 |
| JLPT Level | N5 |
How to Understand This Kanji
左 is not limited to one English translation. In 左 (ひだり), it means left; in 左手 (ひだりて), it points to left hand; and in 左側 (ひだりがわ), it is used for left side. Reading these compounds side by side helps you understand the range of the kanji.
Common Words
- 左（ひだり / hidari） — left
- 左手（ひだりて / hidarite） — left hand
- 左側（ひだりがわ / hidarigawa） — left side
- 左右（さゆう / sayū） — left and right
- 左折（させつ / sasetsu） — left turn
- 左上（ひだりうえ / hidariue） — upper left
Example Sentences
-
左に曲がってください。
ひだりにまがってください。 / Hidari ni magatte kudasai.
Please turn left.
-
左手で名前を書きます。
ひだりてでなまえをかきます。 / Hidarite de namae o kakimasu.
I write my name with my left hand.
-
駅は道の左側にあります。
えきはみちのひだりがわにあります。 / Eki wa michi no hidarigawa ni arimasu.
The station is on the left side of the road.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
Start with 左 (ひだり / hidari) because it keeps the core meaning of 左 clear. Then add 左手 and 左側 to see how the reading and meaning shift in real vocabulary. Do not memorize 左 as a single English word; connect it to actual words and example sentences.
Summary
左 means “left” and appears in useful Japanese words such as 左, 左手, and 左側.