右

• Reading: みぎ
• Romaji: migi
• Kanji breakdown: 右 (migi/u/yuu) — right
• Pronunciation: /mi.ɡi/

Meaning

Right; right-hand side. The direction opposite to left.

A fundamental directional noun. Used constantly when giving and receiving directions. In Japan, traffic drives on the left side, so pedestrians are often told to keep to the right on stairs and escalators (though customs vary by region — Osaka keeps left, Tokyo keeps right on escalators).

Examples

1. 次の角を右に曲がってください。 Please turn right at the next corner.
2. 銀行は右の建物です。 The bank is the building on the right.
3. 右手にスーパーが見えます。 You can see a supermarket on your right.

Usage Guide

Context: directions, navigation, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 右 originally depicted a hand reaching toward the mouth, representing the right hand used for eating.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal