About

The word 左右 is formed through the direct juxtaposition of two fundamental, contrasting directional characters: 左 (zuǒ), meaning "left", and 右 (yòu), meaning "right". This pairing creates a new, composite concept that visually and conceptually encapsulates the idea of "both sides" or the entire horizontal spectrum from one side to the other. From this concrete spatial sense, it naturally extends to express the abstract notion of "approximately", as if something falls within the bounded area between a left and right limit. Thus, its formation is a logical and intuitive symbolic combination, where two opposites merge to define a unified range or scope.

Example Sentences Hide

我坐在你的左右

wǒ zuò zài nǐ de zuǒ yòu.

I sit on your left and right.

他看起来三十岁左右

tā kàn qǐ lái sān shí suì zuǒ yòu.

He looks around thirty years old.

会议将在三点左右开始。

huì yì jiāng zài sān diǎn zuǒ yòu kāi shǐ.

The meeting will start around three o'clock.

他的意见左右了最终决定。

tā de yì jiàn zuǒ yòu le zuì zhōng jué dìng.

His opinion influenced the final decision.

这种技术能左右整个行业的发展方向。

zhè zhǒng jì shù néng zuǒ yòu zhěng gè háng yè de fā zhǎn fāng xiàng.

This technology can sway the development direction of the entire industry.

Word Definition - 左右

zuǒ yòu left and right; nearby; approximately; attendant; to control; to influence

Individual Character Details