左

left

JLPT N5 Grade 1 5 strokes

Kun'yomi: ひだり
On'yomi: サ

左 means "left". It is a JLPT N5 kanji written in 5 strokes. It is read ひだり in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and サ in compounds (on'yomi). Japanese schoolchildren learn it in grade 1.

Example word

左手ひだりて

left hand

左 in example sentences

左手ひだりてがしびれるんです。

Hidarite ga shibirerun desu.

My left hand is numb.
左目ひだりめがチクチクします。

Hidarime ga chikuchiku shimasu.

I have a prickling sensation in my left eye.
左手ひだりてにしびれがあります。

Hidarite ni shibire ga arimasu.

I have some numbness in my left hand.

Example sentences from the Tatoeba Project, licensed CC-BY 2.0 FR.

Stroke order & writing

Want more? Practice writing from memory. Stroke-order and animation sources are on our credits page.

Words that use 左

Common questions

What does the kanji 左 mean?: 左 means "left". It is a JLPT N5 kanji.
How many strokes does 左 have?: 左 is written in 5 strokes.
How is 左 read?: It is read ひだり in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and サ in compounds (on'yomi).
What JLPT level is 左?: 左 is a JLPT N5 kanji.

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