Japanese

左右

さゆう
Meaning: left and right; influence; control
Part of Speech: Noun

Listen to pronunciation

Handwriting

左
右

Example sentences

When crossing a pedestrian crossing, be sure to check both left and right.
その花瓶は、左右に一対置かれている。
Those vases are placed as a pair on the left and right.
王は国の将来を左右する重要な決定を下す際、重臣たちの意見を求めた。
When the king made important decisions that would affect the future of the country, he sought the opinions of his senior retainers.
企業の収益は経済状況に大きく左右される。
A company's earnings are greatly influenced by economic conditions.
この建物は左右対称に設計されている。
This building is designed with bilateral symmetry.
その彫刻は左右の均斉がとれていて、非常に美しい。
That sculpture is symmetrical and extremely beautiful.
観察の精粗が、研究の結果を左右することがある。
The precision or coarseness of observation can sometimes influence the results of research.
人は環境に左右されるものであり、まさに哭岐泣練と言えるだろう。
People are influenced by their environment; it can truly be called 'crying at a fork and weeping over silk'.

Usage Notes

Primarily means 'left and right'. It is also frequently used as a verb (左右する) meaning 'to influence' or 'to control'.

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