左 zuǒ — left · English

左

zuǒ

left

At a glance · 左

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

「左」甲骨文从又加工，象佐助之手，金文小篆承之。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「左」本义为左右之左、左边，引申帮助（佐）、不合。

Structure

从又、从工，会意字，象以手辅工，本为左、助（通佐）。

At a glance

Pinyinzuǒ

Radical工

Strokes5

UnicodeU+5DE6

Character type会意

Theme数术

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English left left; east; unorthodox, improper

Français gauche / gauche Gauche. «左达承明» : à gauche, on atteint Chengming.

Español izquierda / izquierdo Izquierda. «左达承明»: a la izquierda se alcanza Chengming.

العربية يسار / يسار يسار. «左达承明»: عن اليسار يبلغ تشنغ-مينغ.

Русский левый / слева Левый, слева. «左达承明»: слева ведёт в Чэн-мин.

Common words

左边zuǒ biānleft
左右zuǒ yòuaround

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