The upper left part of this kanji originally depicted a left hand. The other component (工) was added later, representing a tool.

Vocabulary

Vocabulary Reading Meaning
⭐ 左 ひだり left

彼は角で左に曲がった。

He turned to the left at the corner.🔗
⭐ 左右 さゆう left and right

通りを横断する前に左右を見なさい。

Look to the left and right before crossing the street.🔗
左翼 さよく left wing (of a bird or in politics)
左遷 させん demotion
左利き ひだりきき left-handedness