左 — Kanji Meaning, Readings & Example Words (JLPT N5)
What it means
左 is simply the direction left — the side opposite 右 ("right"). You'll meet it constantly in daily life: pointing out which hand, which side of the road, or which way to turn. It works as a standalone word (左, ひだり, "left") and as a building block in handy compounds like 左手 ("left hand") and 左側 ("the left side"). Because directions come up in conversation, on signs, and in directions to a station or shop, 左 is one of the most useful early kanji to nail down.
Readings
| Type | Reading | Used in |
|---|---|---|
| kun'yomi | ひだり | 左 (left), 左手 (left hand), 左側 (left side) |
| on'yomi | サ | 左右 (さゆう, left and right), 左折 (させつ, turning left) |
Here's the rule of thumb that works for most kanji: the kun'yomi (ひだり) shows up when 左 stands more or less alone or leads an everyday word, while the on'yomi (サ) appears inside tighter two-kanji compounds. So 左手 keeps ひだり, but 左右 and 左折 flip to サ. Watch for that split — it makes new words much easier to read.
Stroke order & radical
- Strokes: 5. Write the top horizontal stroke first, then the down-left diagonal, and finish with the small 工 shape underneath.
- Radical: the bottom part 工 is the "work" radical, which gives the kanji its lower frame.
One thing trips up almost every learner: 左 and 右 have different stroke orders even though their tops look the same. For 左 ("left"), you write the horizontal stroke first, then the down-left sweep. For 右 ("right"), you write the down-left sweep first, then the horizontal. Getting this right from the start keeps your handwriting natural — and it's a neat way to remember which kanji is which.
Common words using 左
Notice the reading split in action: the everyday words 左手 and 左側 keep ひだり, while the compact compounds 左右 and 左折 switch to サ. That's the rule of thumb above, working exactly as advertised.
Example sentences
ヤッタンは左手でペンを持ちます。
ヤッタンは ひだりてで ペンを もちます。
Yattan holds the pen with his left hand.
左手 — the kun'yomi ひだり reading in an everyday word.
次の角を左に曲がると、モチの家があります。
つぎの かどを ひだりに まがると、モチの いえが あります。
If you turn left at the next corner, Mochi's house is there.
Standalone 左 takes the kun'yomi ひだり.
先生は「道を渡る前に左右をよく見ましょう」と言いました。
せんせいは「みちを わたる まえに さゆうを よく みましょう」と いいました。
Sensei said, Let's look carefully both ways before crossing the road.
左右 uses the on'yomi サ (さゆう, 'left and right').
Quick recap
- 左 = left (the direction); 5 strokes; built on the 工 "work" radical.
- ひだり in everyday words (左手, 左側); サ in compounds (左右, 左折).
- It pairs with 右 ("right") — but remember they have different stroke orders: 左 starts with the horizontal stroke, 右 starts with the down-left sweep.
Your turn
Choose the correct reading of 左 in each word.
Start the 5-question drill →Frequently asked questions
How do you read 左 in 左手 vs 左右?
In 左手 it's the kun'yomi ひだり (左手 = ひだりて, 'left hand'). In 左右 it's the on'yomi サ (左右 = さゆう, 'left and right'). As a rule, compact compounds take the on'yomi.
How many strokes does 左 have?
左 has 5 strokes. Write the top horizontal stroke first, then the down-left diagonal, then the 工 shape at the bottom.
Why do 左 and 右 have different stroke orders?
Their tops look alike, but the order differs: 左 ('left') starts with the horizontal stroke, while 右 ('right') starts with the down-left sweep. It's a classic point of confusion worth practicing.
What does 左利き mean?
左利き (ひだりきき) means 'left-handed,' describing someone who mainly uses their left hand. The opposite is 右利き (みぎきき), 'right-handed.'