左 (zuǒ) - Meaning, Stroke Order, Words & Examples

Q: What does 左 (zuǒ) mean in Chinese?

The Chinese character 左 (zuǒ) means "Left". It is an HSK Level 1 character, with 5 strokes and the radical 工.

Q: How do you write 左 stroke by stroke?

左 has 5 strokes. The radical is 工. Follow the standard stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. Practice with stroke animation to build muscle memory.

Q: What's the difference between 左 and 工?

左 (zuǒ) and 工 look similar but differ in meaning and usage. Check the radical and stroke count to tell them apart.

Q: What mistakes do learners make writing 左?

Common mistake: incorrect stroke order or miswriting the radical 工. Pay attention to the proportion between components — keep the radical compact.

Q: What common words use 左?

Common words containing 左 include: 左边 (zuǒ biān) — Left side; 左手 (zuǒ shǒu) — Left hand; 左右 (zuǒ yòu) — Around; approximately; left and right.

How to Write 左

The character 左 (zuǒ) is written with 5 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 工 is one of its key components.

Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.

Meaning & Pronunciation

左 is pronounced zuǒ in Mandarin Chinese. It means Left.

As an HSK Level 1 character, 左 is among the first characters beginners learn.

Common Words with 左

左边 zuǒ biān

Left side

左手 zuǒ shǒu

Left hand

左右 zuǒ yòu

Around; approximately; left and right

Example Sentences

银行就在左边。

yín háng jiù zài zuǒ biān

The bank is on the left.

我习惯用左手。

wǒ xí guàn yòng zuǒ shǒu

I'm used to using my left hand.

他三十岁左右。

tā sān shí suì zuǒ yòu

He is about thirty years old.

Similar Characters

工 gōng

巧 qiǎo

巨 jù

Practice Writing 左 (zuǒ)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 左 with real-time feedback.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 左

What does 左 (zuǒ) mean in Chinese?

How do you write 左 stroke by stroke?

What's the difference between 左 and 工?

What mistakes do learners make writing 左?

What common words use 左?

How to Write 左 (zuǒ)