Left in Japanese
"left" in Japanese, with the kanji that carry the meaning.
左
hidari
3 Japanese kanji carry the meaning "left". The most common choice is shown first.
Which one to use
左 is left. The character is a hand with a carpenter's square, as 右 right is a hand with a mouth. In old Japanese court rank, the Minister of the Left outranked the Minister of the Right.
Top pick
left
Reading: sa
5 strokes
Where it comes from
Composed of 'ナ' (hand) and '工' (tool). Hand holding tools - the left hand.
What it carries
Assistance, unorthodox, creativity. Special meaning of left in right-handed society.
Related kanji for "left"
left right(also: horizontal, woof, left & right)
i
Composed of thread and leather. Horizontal thread.
be left out(also: undress, removing, escape from)
datsu
Composed of flesh and exchange. Flesh coming off.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Japanese kanji for left?
The most common kanji for "left" is 左, read as sa. It means left. Related kanji: 緯 (left right), 脱 (be left out).
How many strokes does 左 have?
左 has 5 strokes.