左 – Left (Sa / Hidari Kanji)
Learn the meaning, Onyomi and Kunyomi readings, stroke order, common vocabulary, and example sentences for the Japanese Kanji 左.
Kanji 左 Readings – Onyomi & Kunyomi
左 has both an Onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading and Kunyomi (native Japanese) readings, each used in different word contexts.
Used in compound words such as 左右 (sayū – left and right) and 左翼 (sayoku – left wing).
Used to mean the direction left, as in 左へ曲がります (hidari e magarimasu).
左 Stroke Order – How to Write 左
左 is written with 5 strokes. Follow the numbered order below to write it correctly.
💡 Tip: Write the top-left horizontal stroke first, followed by the sweeping left diagonal stroke, then the short top-right dot, and finish with the horizontal base line ending in a vertical drop down.
Common Words Using 左 (Vocabulary List)
Here are 6 essential words that use the kanji 左, worth memorizing first.
Example Sentences with 左
See 左 used in real, natural Japanese sentences with Kanji, Kana, Romaji and English meaning.
次の角を左に曲がってください。
つぎの かどを ひだりに まがってください。
Tsugi no kado o hidari ni magatte kudasai.
Please turn left at the next corner.
彼は左手にペンを持っています。
かれは ひだりてに ぺんを もっています。
Kare wa hidarite ni pen o motte imasu.
He is holding a pen in his left hand.
道路の左側を歩いてください。
どうろの ひだりがわを あるいてください。
Dōro no hidarigawa o aruite kudasai.
Please walk on the left side of the road.
信号を渡ったら左折します。
しんごうを わたったら させつします。
Singō o watattara sasetsu shimasu.
I will make a left turn after crossing the traffic light.
横断歩道では左右をよく見てください。
おうだんほどうでは さゆうを よく みてください.
Ōdanhōdō de wa sayū o yoku mite kudasai.
Please look carefully left and right at the pedestrian crossing.
Frequently Asked Questions About 左
What does the Kanji 左 mean?
左 means "left." It is a fundamental JLPT N5 kanji used in words like 左 (hidari, left) and 左右 (sayuu, left and right).
What is the Onyomi reading of 左?
The primary Onyomi reading of 左 is サ (sa), as seen in compound words like 左右 (sayū, left and right) and 左折 (sasetsu, left turn).
What is the Kunyomi reading of 左?
The main Kunyomi reading is ひだり (hidari) when referring to the direction left.
How many strokes does 左 have?
左 is written with 5 strokes.
Is 左 a JLPT N5 kanji?
Yes, 左 is an essential JLPT N5 directional kanji taught in grade 1 of Japanese elementary school.
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