左: the kanji for left
左 is a JLPT N5 kanji that means left. Below are its readings, 9 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
左 is written in 5 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
左 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 9 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
サ (sa)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 左右さゆう · sayū | left and right |
| 左折させつ · sasetsu | left turn |
| 左翼さよく · sayoku | left wing |
| 左遷させん · sasen | demotion |
ひだり (hidari)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 左利きひだりきき · hidarikiki | left-handed |
| 左上ひだりうえ · hidariue | upper left |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 二つ目の信号を左に曲がってください。Futatsume no shingō o hidari ni magatte kudasai.Please turn left at the second traffic light.
- トイレは左側です。Toire wa hidarigawa desu.The restroom is on the left.
- 次の交差点で左折します。Tsugi no kōsaten de sasetsu shimasu.I'll turn left at the next intersection.
- 私は左利きです。Watashi wa hidarikiki desu.I'm left-handed.
- 画面の左上にロゴがあります。Gamen no hidariue ni rogo ga arimasu.The logo is in the upper left corner of the screen.
- 左手で書類を持ってください。Hidarite de shorui o motte kudasai.Please hold the documents in your left hand.
Questions about 左
How many strokes does 左 have?
左 is written in 5 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 左?
The on readings are sa (サ). The kun readings are hidari (ひだり).
What does 左遷 mean?
左遷 (sasen) means being moved to a lower position at work, a demotion.
What JLPT level is 左?
N5. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N5 is designed to match the former Level 4.
More JLPT N5 kanji
Places and directions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 左
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.