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道Nihongo Path
左

左·left

On-yomi
サ
Kun-yomi
ひだり

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

5 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
左ひだりleft
左手ひだりてleft hand
左側ひだりがわleft side
左足ひだりあしleft foot

Example sentences

  1. つぎのかどを左にまがってください。

    つぎのかどをひだりにまがってください。

    Please turn left at the next corner.

  2. 銀行は駅の左にあります。

    ぎんこうはえきのひだりにあります。

    The bank is to the left of the station.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Mixing up 左 and 右 because the tops look alike

Memory aid

Picture it

A hand holding a carpenter's tool (工): the left hand steadies the work.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 左 mean?