左|ひだりhidari[0]heiban (flat)
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- no-adjectiveleft; left-hand sideそのポールは左に傾いた。↗The pole inclined to the left.
- nounleft hand
- nounthe left (wing); leftist
- nounfondness for alcohol; drinker
- Synonym左手ひだりてNeutralRefers to the left hand itself, and by extension the direction on your left, as in 「左手に見える」; often used when giving directions.
- Synonym左側ひだりがわNeutralMeans the side that is left, focusing on the spatial area, as in 「左側通行」.
- Related左翼さよくNeutralMeans the left wing or a left-side part, or the political left, as in 「左翼政党」; also used for left field in baseball.
- Related左派さはNeutralRefers to the political left or reformists: a faction within a party, or people with left-wing views, as in 「左派の知識人」; it never indicates direction.
- Related左方さほうWrittenWritten/formal prose for the left side; also a term in gagaku classification. In everyday speech say 「左」.
- Antonym右みぎNeutralThe antonym of 「左」 in direction; means the right, right-hand side.
For plain direction, 「左」 is the default. Use 「左側」 for the left side as an area, 「左手」 for the hand or when giving directions, and 「左翼」 or 「左派」 for political stances; 「左方」 is formal prose.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only


