左
JLPT N5Kun-yomi (Japanese reading)
ひだり
On-yomi (Chinese reading)
サ、シャ
Meaning
Stroke Count
5 strokes
Related Vocabulary
📝 How to Remember
With 5 strokes, 「左」is easy to write once you learn the stroke order. Practice writing it 5 times daily until it becomes automatic.
⚠️ Teacher's Note — On-yomi vs Kun-yomi
「左」has both On-yomi (サ、シャ) and Kun-yomi (ひだり). On-yomi is typically used in compound words (two kanji together), while Kun-yomi appears when the kanji stands alone or with hiragana.
🎯 JLPT N5 — How It's Tested
もんだい1 (Kanji Reading) & もんだい2 (Kanji Writing)
「左」typically appears in もんだい1, where you choose the correct reading, and もんだい2, where you choose the correct kanji for a hiragana word. Make sure you can recognize it both ways.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do you read the kanji 「左」?+
On-yomi: サ、シャ. Kun-yomi: ひだり.
What does 「左」mean in Japanese?+
「左」means "null". It is a JLPT N5 kanji — one of the most essential characters for beginners.
How many strokes does 「左」have?+
「左」is written with 5 strokes.
Is 「左」on the JLPT N5?+
Yes, 「左」is an official JLPT N5 kanji. Knowing all ~110 N5 kanji is essential for passing the exam.
Practice 「左」 with AI