Character Familiesenclosure

左zuǒ

left (the side) (左手, 左边); the east (in geography); leftist (左派); off; wrong (左嗓子)

左 is the left — your left hand, and the east on old maps.

GF0025–2021 character list · 一级
One character pageAll readings and linked senses stay together.

enclosure

ZDIC: 会意, 从又、从工 — named pieces without further explanation.

enclosure · 左

WHOLE CHARACTER

左zuǒ

left (the side) (左手, 左边); the east (in geography); leftist (左派); off; wrong (左嗓子)

左 is the left — your left hand, and the east on old maps.

ZDIC: 会意, 从又、从工 — named pieces without further explanation.

HAND PIECE (又)

又yòu

again; right hand in older use

Standalone meaning is kept separate from its role in other characters.

In 左: hand piece (又) The hand shape is written reduced in the upper left.

WORK PIECE (工)

工gōng

work; labor; skill

Standalone meaning is kept separate from its role in other characters.

In 左: work piece (工) Shown with its documented or clearly limited role.

zuǒTone 3
  • left (the side) (左手, 左边)
  • the east (in geography)
  • leftist (左派)
  • off; wrong (左嗓子)
  • 左边zuǒbianthe left side
  • 左手zuǒshǒuleft hand

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