NetChai Chinese
左边
zuǒ biān
Left · trad. 左邊

左边 (zuǒbiān) is the most common way to say "left side" or "on the left" in Mandarin Chinese. It's used when giving directions, describing locations, or indicating something's position.

When to use it

Neutral. While 左边 is a noun meaning "left side," you can use just 左 (zuǒ) as an adjective, as in 左手 (zuǒshǒu, "left hand") or 左边的那个人 (zuǒbiān de nà ge rén, "the person on the left").

How to pronounce it

Sounds roughly like "ZWOR-byen." The first syllable, 左, has a third tone (low, then rising); the second, 边, is a first tone (high and flat).

Other ways to say it

  • 左zuǒleft (adjective)
  • 左手zuǒ shǒuleft hand
  • 左转zuǒ zhuǎnturn left

Examples

我的家在左边。
wǒ de jiā zài zuǒ biān 。
My house is on the left side.
请往左边走。
qǐng wǎng zuǒ biān zǒu 。
Please go to the left side / walk left.
他在我的左边。
tā zài wǒ de zuǒ biān 。
He is on my left.
Pro tip: 左 (zuǒ) is the adjective "left," while 左边 (zuǒbiān) is the noun "left side." Think of it like "left" vs. "left side" in English. For example, you say "left hand" (左手), not "left side hand" (左边手).

Related phrases

和平 · Peace钱 · Money闭嘴 · Shut up
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