左 Stroke Order — How to Write 左
左 is written in 5 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 工, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
左 Radical and Character Components
Partial breakdown of 左:工
左 is a pictograph. A left hand; compare 又.
Radical: 工 + 2 more strokes
左 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- zuǒ
Meanings of 左 in Chinese
1
zuǒ左
Left; the side that is to the east when facing south; opposite of right. Refers to the left hand, left side, or a close assistant.
他习惯用左手写字。
He is used to writing with his left hand.
Geographically, referring to the east side of a mountain or river, or a region located to the east, often used in historical contexts.
江左地区素有鱼米之乡的美誉。
The Jiangzuo region has long enjoyed the reputation as a land of fish and rice.
To be overly progressive or radical in thought or action, often going beyond what is practical or feasible under current conditions.
他的观点有些左倾，不适合当前的实际情况。
His views are a bit too radical/left-leaning and not suitable for the current practical situation.
Odd, peculiar, or wrong, often referring to temperament or a physical attribute like voice.
他这人有点左脾气，别人都不太敢惹他。
He has a somewhat peculiar temper, so others don't really dare to provoke him.
To demote or relegate someone to a lower official position.
他因为工作失误，被左迁到了一个不重要的部门。
He was demoted to an unimportant department due to a work error.
To assist, to prove; same as '佐'.
这些事实可以左证他的观点。
These facts can corroborate his viewpoint.
Common Words and Phrases with 左
1
the left bank of a river (when facing downstream)
他们沿着左岸散步，欣赏着河景。
They walked along the left bank, enjoying the river scenery.
2
capable assistant
在公司里，他一直是经理的左膀右臂，处理了许多重要事务。
In the company, he has always been the manager's right-hand man, handling many important affairs.
3
4
left wing
他是一名出色的左边锋，总能在比赛中突破对手的防线。
He is an excellent left winger, always able to break through the opponent's defense in games.
5
anyhow; anyway; merely; just; only
你别太担心了，左不过就是多花点时间而已，总能解决的。
Don't worry too much; at any rate, it will just take a bit more time, and we'll certainly find a solution.
6
7
the left prime minister
左丞相每日批阅奏折，常常忙碌到深夜。
The Left Chancellor reviewed memorials daily, often busy until late at night.
8
Heretical sects or heterodox schools; refers to unorthodox or deviant practices and beliefs.
他一直对那些被主流学术界视为左道旁门的研究领域抱有浓厚的兴趣。
He has always maintained a strong interest in research fields that are considered unorthodox or heterodox by mainstream academia.
9
to dodge left and right
那只灵活的兔子左躲右闪，成功避开了猎狗的追捕
The nimble rabbit dodged left and right, successfully evading the hound's pursuit.
10
glance right and left; look around
她站在路口，左顾右盼，不知道该往哪个方向走。
She stood at the intersection, looking left and right, unsure which direction to take.
11
12
Neighbours; people living nearby
每到周末，小区的左邻右舍总会聚在一起，分享各自的拿手菜。
Every weekend, the neighbors in the community often gather together to share their specialty dishes.
13
The Left, or leftists, refers to individuals or groups who advocate for social, political, or economic change, reform, or even revolution, often holding views that contrast with conservative ideologies.
这位评论家常常以左派的视角审视社会现象，呼吁更公平的对待。
This critic often examines social phenomena from a leftist perspective, advocating for more equitable treatment.
14
a left-hander
我的朋友是个左撇子，他用左手写字非常漂亮。
My friend is left-handed, and he writes very beautifully with his left hand.
15
to be demoted or relegated to a lower position/rank
他因触犯规章制度，被领导左迁到偏远部门，负责一些琐碎事务。
Due to violating regulations, he was demoted to a remote department to handle trivial matters.
More words with 左
- lǘ闾zuǒ左common villagers, local populace
- zuó左shǒu手left hand, left-hander
- zuǒ左bì臂left arm
- zuó左jiǎo脚left foot
- zuǒ左qīng倾left-leaning, leftist
- zuó左tuǐ腿left leg
- zuǒ左xián舷port
- zuó左yǎn眼left eye
- zuǒ左yì翼left-wing
- wáng往zuǒ左left, to the left
- zuǒ左zhuàn传Zuo Zhuan, The Commentary of Zuo
- zuó左ěr耳left ear
- zuǒ左yòu右left and right, about
- xiāng相zuǒ左differ, conflict
- zuǒ左xià下jiǎo角bottom-left corner
- zuó左shǒu手biān边on the left, left-hand side
- zuǒ左zhèng证evidence, proof
- zuó左zhuǎn转Turn left, Make a left
- xiàng向zuǒ左to the left, left
- zuǒ左duì对Align left, Left align
Idioms with 左
- zuǒ左shuō说yòu右shuō说explain from all angles
- zuǒ左sī思yòu右xiǎng想ponder deeply and carefully
- zuǒ左tí提yòu右qiè挈mutually assist and support
- zuǒ左yōng拥yòu右bào抱surrounded by many romantic partners
- zuǒ左yòu右féng逢yuán源handle with ease and skill
- zuǒ左yòu右kāi开gōng弓shoot with both hands
- zuǒ左yòu右liǎng两nán难caught between a rock and a hard place
- zuǒ左yòu右wéi为nán难caught between two difficult choices
- zuǒ左yòu右yáo摇bǎi摆sway back and forth
- zuǒ左zhī支yòu右chù绌struggle to cope with multiple demands
- páng旁mén门zuǒ左dào道unorthodox or devious methods
- rú如zuǒ左yòu右shǒu手indispensable and capable assistant
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Open the tool →Questions about 左
What does 左 mean in Chinese?
左 (zuǒ) means “Left” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 左?
左 is pronounced zuǒ in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 左 have?
左 has 5 strokes.
How do you write 左?
左 is written in 5 strokes, starting from the radical 工. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 左?
The radical of 左 is 工, and 左 is a pictograph.