How common it is
左 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say zuǒ slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
左可以用来指方向，比如你的左手边是门。
zuǒ kě yǐ lái yòng zhe zhǐ fāng xiàng, rú guǒ nǐ de zuǒ shǒu biān shì mén。
Left can be used to indicate direction, for example, your left side is the door.
Context note
左常用于描述位置，比如教室里的左边座位。
zuǒ cháng yòng yú miáo huì wèi zhī, rú guǒ jǐ shì lǐ de zuǒ biān zuò wèi。
Left is often used to describe positions, for example, the seats on the left side of the classroom.
5 examples
左边的书是新买的。
zuǒ biān de shū shì xīn mǎi de。
The books on the left are newly bought.
他站在我的左边。
tā zhàn zài wǒ de zuǒ biān。
He stands on my left side.
请把杯子放在桌子的左上角。
qǐng bǎ bēi zi fàng zài zhuō zi de zuǒ shàng jiǎo。
Please put the cup in the upper-left corner of the table.
左边的小朋友在玩玩具。
zuǒ biān de xiǎo péng yǒu zài wán wán jù。
The child on the left is playing with toys.
妈妈把左脚穿进鞋里。
mā ma bǎ zuǒ jiǎo chuān jìn xié lǐ。
Mom put her left foot into the shoe.
5 mini stories
小明坐在教室的左边，他的同桌是小红。
xiǎo míng zuò zài jiào shì de zuǒ biān， tā de tóng zhuō shì xiǎo hóng。
Xiaoming sat on the left side of the classroom, his deskmate was Xiaohong.
妈妈教我用左手拿筷子吃饭。
mā ma jiào wǒ yòng zuǒ shǒu ná kuài zi chī fàn。
Mom taught me to use my left hand to hold chopsticks for eating.
左边的窗户开着，可以看见外面的风景。
zuǒ biān de chuāng hù kāi zhe， kě yǐ kàn jiàn wài miàn de fēng jǐng。
The window on the left is open, and you can see the scenery outside.
小华把书放在桌子的左下角。
xiǎo huá bǎ shū fàng zài zhuō zi de zuǒ xià jiǎo。
Xiaohua put the book in the lower-left corner of the table.
左边的小朋友在画画，他的画很美。
zuǒ biān de xiǎo péng yǒu zài huà huà， tā de huà hěn měi。
The child on the left is drawing, and his picture is very beautiful.