左側

• Reading: ひだりがわ
• Romaji: hidarigawa
• Kanji breakdown: 左 (sa/hidari) — left; 側 (soku/gawa) — side
• Pronunciation: /çi.da.ɾi.ɡa.wa/

Meaning

Left side; left-hand side. Used to indicate the left direction or position.

A compound noun combining 左 (hidari, left) and 側 (gawa, side). The counterpart of 右側 (migigawa). Essential for giving and receiving directions in Japanese. In Japan, vehicles drive on the left side of the road, making this word especially relevant for traffic rules.

Examples

1. 左側に大きい公園があります。 There is a big park on the left side.
2. 左側のドアから入ってください。 Please enter through the door on the left.
3. バスの左側の窓から山が見えます。 You can see the mountains from the left-side window of the bus.

Usage Guide

Context: directions, transportation, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Combines 左 (hidari, left) and 側 (gawa, side). The kanji 左 depicts a left hand assisting with work, contrasting with 右 which shows the right hand reaching to eat.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal