左
left
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of 'ナ' (hand) and '工' (tool). Hand holding tools - the left hand.
Symbolism
Assistance, unorthodox, creativity. Special meaning of left in right-handed society.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
右往左往
うおうさおう
moving about in confusion; going every which way; going this way and that; moving about in confusion
右顧左眄
うこさべん
inability to make up one's mind due to worrying about how others will think; hesitation; wavering; inability to make up one's mind due to worrying about how others will think
左顧右眄
さこうべん
looking right and left or all about; vacillation; looking right and left or all about
左見右見
とみこうみ
looking from one place to another; looking in all directions; looking all around; looking from one place to another
Proverbs & Idioms
左右を見る
さゆうをみる
To look left and right
Checking the surroundings carefully
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 左 mean in Japanese?
左 means left.
How do you read 左?
On'yomi: サ、シャ (SA, SHA). Kun'yomi: ひだり (hidari).
How many strokes does 左 have?
左 has 5 strokes. Its radical is 工 (work).
Is 左 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 左 (left) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
Explore by meaning:kanji for left