ひだり (hidari) and みぎ (migi) — left and right — are among the first words you need when navigating Japan. Whether you are following directions to a shrine, reading a map on your phone, or being told which platform to use at a train station, these two words will come up constantly. But there is more to them than just “left” and “right.” This guide covers every usage pattern, common compound words, and the cultural quirks that make these words useful beyond basic navigation.
YukaQuick question, Rei — when should I use ひだり versus みぎ?
ReiAh, a classic mix-up! They’re related but definitely not interchangeable. I’ll explain with examples and it’ll make perfect sense.
At a Glance: ひだり vs. みぎ
| Feature | ひだり (hidari) 左 | みぎ (migi) 右 |
|---|---|---|
| Core meaning | Left | Right |
| Kanji | 左 | 右 |
| Word type | Noun (location) | Noun (location) |
| Physical direction | Yes (turn left) | Yes (turn right) |
| Compound words | 左手 (left hand), 左折 (left turn) | 右手 (right hand), 右折 (right turn) |
| Cultural / abstract | 左利き (left-handed) | 右利き (right-handed) |
| JLPT level | N5 | N5 |
ひだり (左) — Left and Everything Left-Related
ひだり means “left” — the direction, the side, the hand. The kanji 左 is one of the most common N5 kanji for directions. In everyday conversation, ひだり appears most often in giving and following directions, and in compound words like 左手 (hidarite — left hand) and 左折 (sasetsu — left turn, used in formal contexts like driving).
One spelling note: the kanji for left (左) and right (右) look very similar. The mnemonic that helps: 左 (hidari/left) has 工 at the top — remember “Left has a work(工)man going left.” With practice, they become automatic.
Example 1 — giving directions:
次の信号を左に曲がってください。
Tsugi no shingou wo hidari ni magatte kudasai.
Please turn left at the next traffic light.
Example 2 — left side:
銀行は左側にあります。
Ginkou wa hidarigawa ni arimasu.
The bank is on the left side.
Example 3 — left hand:
左手にバッグを持っていた。
Hidarite ni baggu wo motte ita.
I was holding the bag in my left hand.
YukaOh interesting! So ひだり can mean that too? I only knew the basic meaning.
ReiYes! ひだり is more versatile than most learners realize. Native speakers use it in all sorts of situations — not just the obvious ones.
みぎ (右) — Right and Everything Right-Related
みぎ means “right” in all the same contexts as ひだり. The kanji 右 looks like 左 but with the top part slightly different. In formal or written contexts, right turn is 右折 (usetsu) and left turn is 左折 (sasetsu) — you will see these on road signs.
みぎ is also used metaphorically in Japanese: 右に出る者はいない (migi ni deru mono wa inai — “no one surpasses them,” literally “no one comes out to the right of them”) is a set expression meaning someone is unrivaled.
Example 1 — giving directions:
角を右に曲がると駅が見えます。
Kado wo migi ni magaru to eki ga miemasu.
If you turn right at the corner, you will see the station.
Example 2 — right side:
入口は右側にあります。
Iriguchi wa migigawa ni arimasu.
The entrance is on the right side.
Example 3 — right-handed:
私は右利きです。
Watashi wa migigiki desu.
I am right-handed.
YukaWhat about みぎ? Is it used as often as ひだり in daily conversation?
Reiみぎ is super common too! The two words actually complement each other really well once you understand both.
Key Compound Words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 左手 | hidarite | Left hand |
| 左側 | hidarigawa | Left side |
| 左折 | sasetsu | Left turn (formal/driving) |
| 左利き | hidarikiki | Left-handed |
| 右手 | migite | Right hand |
| 右側 | migigawa | Right side |
| 右折 | usetsu | Right turn (formal/driving) |
| 右利き | migigiki | Right-handed |
Giving Directions in Japanese
Knowing left and right is essential for navigating Japan. Here are the most common direction-giving phrases you will use and hear:
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 左に曲がってください | hidari ni magatte kudasai | Please turn left |
| 右に曲がってください | migi ni magatte kudasai | Please turn right |
| まっすぐ行ってください | massugu itte kudasai | Please go straight |
| 左側にあります | hidarigawa ni arimasu | It is on the left side |
| 右側にあります | migigawa ni arimasu | It is on the right side |
| 左折禁止 | sasetsu kinshi | No left turn (road sign) |
Common Mistakes English Speakers Make
Mistake 1 — Confusing the kanji 左 and 右. These two kanji look very similar. Study them side by side and use mnemonics. Left (左) has a longer bottom-left stroke going out; right (右) has a different top component.
Mistake 2 — Using ひだり/みぎ as adjectives before nouns without の or side words. To say “the left door,” use 左のドア (hidari no doa) or 左側のドア (hidarigawa no doa) — not just 左ドア.
Mistake 3 — Forgetting that road signs use 左折/右折, not ひだり/みぎに曲がる. On Japanese road signs and in formal instructions, 左折 and 右折 are used instead of the casual ひだり/みぎ.
Decision Flowchart: ひだり or みぎ?
Which direction / side?
|
┌────┴────┐
LEFT RIGHT
| |
v v
ひだり (左) みぎ (右)
| |
左に曲がる 右に曲がる
(turn left) (turn right)
左側 右側
(left side) (right side)
左折 (formal) 右折 (formal)
左利き 右利き
(left-handed)(right-handed)Quick Quiz — Test Yourself!
YukaAlright, I think I understand both now. Time for a quiz to check!
ReiThat’s the spirit! Testing yourself is one of the best study techniques. Ready?
Fill in the blank with ひだり (左) or みぎ (右).
Q1. The post office is on the right side of the street.
郵便局は通りの＿＿＿側にあります。
Yuubinkyoku wa toori no ___ gawa ni arimasu.
Answer: みぎ (migi) — 右
Reason: Right side = 右側 (migigawa).
Q2. Turn left at the intersection.
交差点を＿＿＿に曲がってください。
Kousaten wo ___ ni magatte kudasai.
Answer: ひだり (hidari) — 左
Reason: Turn left = 左に曲がる.
Q3. I write with my right hand.
私は＿＿＿手で字を書きます。
Watashi wa ___ te de ji wo kakimasu.
Answer: みぎ (migi) — 右
Reason: Right hand = 右手 (migite).
Q4. My younger brother is left-handed.
弟は＿＿＿利きです。
Otouto wa ___ kiki desu.
Answer: ひだり (hidari) — 左
Reason: Left-handed = 左利き (hidarikiki).
Q5. The restroom is to the left of the entrance.
トイレは入口の＿＿＿にあります。
Toire wa iriguchi no ___ ni arimasu.
Answer: ひだり (hidari) — 左
Reason: To the left of = 〜の左に.
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