noun / adverb / verb HSK 2
left and right · approximately · about · around · to influence · to control
Meaning
左右 literally means 'left and right' but is most commonly used to indicate approximation ('about', 'around', 'or so'). It can also mean to influence or control someone, or refer to both sides or people nearby.
Usage
When indicating approximation, 左右 follows a number or time expression (三点左右 means 'around 3 o'clock'). As a verb meaning 'to control/influence', it's more formal and often appears in written contexts. In everyday speech, the approximation usage is by far the most common.
Examples
- 01我五点左右到家。.I'll get home around 5 o'clock.
- 02这件衣服一百块钱左右。.This piece of clothing costs about 100 yuan.
Characters
Common collocations
- 三天左右about three days
- 十块钱左右around ten yuan
- 左右为难in a dilemma (idiom)
- 左右逢源to have resourceful connections everywhere (idiom)
Origin
Combines the characters for left and right. The approximation meaning developed from the idea of being 'to the left or right' of an exact number, hence nearby or around that amount.