Definitions

zuǒ (adjective) left
zuǒ (adjective) wrong; unorthodox

Etymology

Pictograph of a left hand. The (work) component was added later to represent the meaning "help; assist", now written as .

About

The character 左 represents the concept of "left" and originated as a pictograph of a left hand, which later evolved into the top component 𠂇. The component 工, depicting a tool, was added beneath it, originally indicating the action of assisting or working with the left hand. Over time, the primary meaning shifted to denote the directional "left", while the sense of "to assist" was transferred to the newly formed character 佐, which incorporates the human radical 亻 on the left side.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的书在边。

Wǒ de shū zài zuǒbian.

My book is on the left.

他用手写字。

Tā yòng zuǒshǒu xiězì.

He writes with his left hand.

走就能看到公园。

Xiàng zuǒ zǒu jiù néng kàndào gōngyuán.

Walk left and you can see the park.

教室的边是图书馆。

Jiàoshì de zuǒbian shì túshūguǎn.

The left side of the classroom is the library.

在路口请向拐。

Zài lùkǒu qǐng xiàng zuǒ guǎi.

At the intersection, please turn left.

我习惯用手打篮球。

Wǒ xíguàn yòng zuǒshǒu dǎ lánqiú.

I am used to playing basketball with my left hand.

边数第三个座位是我的。

Cóng zuǒbian shǔ dì sān gè zuòwèi shì wǒ de.

The third seat from the left is mine.

在政治观点上他倾向于派。

Zài zhèngzhì guāndiǎn shàng tā qīngxiàng yú zuǒpài.

In political views, he leans towards the left wing.