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N5

Kanji 左: meanings, readings, and example words.

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Kanji 左: left

Key takeaways

Kanji 左: left. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

N5

Meaning

left

On reading

シャ

Kun reading

ひだり

Radical

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 左

left

Kanji structure breakdown

Structure breakdown

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

This kanji originates from the image of a left hand (𠂇) holding a tool (工). Imagine the left hand holding a tool to assist in work, representing the meaning 'Left'.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

  • 左程さほど

    not very / not much

  • 左様ならさようなら

    good-bye / farewell

  • 左右さゆう

    left and right / influence / control

Kun reading

ひだり
  • 左利きひだりきき

    left-handed person / left-handedness

  • ひだり

    left side / left hand

Commonly used words

  • 左程
    さほど

    not very / not much

  • 左様なら
    さようなら

    good-bye / farewell

  • 左右
    さゆう

    left and right / influence / control

  • 左利き
    ひだりきき

    left-handed person / left-handedness

  • ひだり

    left side / left hand

Example sentences

Example 1

これはさほど難しくない。

Translation

This is not very difficult.

Example 2

さほど疲れていません。

Translation

I'm not very tired.

Example 3

友達に様ならと言った。

Translation

I said goodbye to my friend.

Example 4

電話を切るときに様ならと言う。

Translation

I say goodbye when ending a phone call.

Kanji 左: left | Daily Nihongo