左 (zuǒ) - Left side & left-hand

左Tone 3

zuǒ ｜ 5 strokes ｜ radical: 工

志

左 · zuǒ

Left side;

left-hand;

east (when facing south);

the Left (political);

assistant;

to assist;

to support.

Left sideleft-handeast (when facing south)

Usage highlights

Left sideLeft handLeftistLeft wingLeftoverAssistant

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Turn left (左转).
  • My left hand (左手).
  • He is left-handed (左撇子).
  • Political left wing (左派).

Collocations

  • Left side(左边)
  • Left hand(左手)
  • Leftist(左派)
  • Left wing(左翼)
  • Leftover(剩余)
  • Assistant(助手)

Idioms

  • Left and right, meeting one's match(左右逢源)
  • Left and right, to be in a dilemma(左右为难)
  • To think one way and act another(左思右想)
  • To assist in governing(左辅右弼)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese culture, left was considered inferior to right, associated with yin and femininity.
  • In politics, 'Left' refers to progressive or radical factions.
  • Historically used in official titles like 'Left Minister' (左丞相), often secondary to the 'Right Minister'.

FAQ