JLPT N5 · 5 strokes
Kanji 左: "left"
The kanji 左 means "left". It is written with 5 strokes and belongs to JLPT level N5, read サ, シャ in on'yomi and ひだり in kun'yomi.
Stroke order
Strokes are written in the order of the numbers. The order is not decorative: it is what gives the character its balance, and it is also how handwriting search works in Japanese dictionaries.
Readings
On'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading)
サシャ
Kun'yomi (native Japanese reading)
ひだり
In a kun'yomi reading, the dot separates the kanji from its okurigana: かた.る is read かたる and written 語る. A hyphen marks a bound position, like -び in 日.
At a glance
| Meaning | left |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 5 |
| JLPT level | N5 |
| Taught in Japan | grade 1 |
| Frequency rank | 630 of 2,501 |
Common words with 左
The most frequent words using this kanji, most common first, with furigana readings. Click one to open it in the reader.
- 左left; left-hand side · left hand
- 左右left and right; right and left · (asserting) control; influence; domination
- 左手left hand · left-hand side; left-hand direction; (on) the left
- 左様ならfarewell; adieu; goodbye; so long
- 左側left side; left-hand side
- 左様so; like that · that's right; indeed
- 左足left foot · left leg
- 左肩left shoulder
- 左目left eye
- 右往左往moving about in confusion; going every which way; going this way and that
- 前後左右in all directions
- 左翼left wing · left wing (of a bird or aircraft)
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