Definition
左右 (zuǒ yòu) has two core uses: (1) 'left and right' (both sides), and (2) after a number or time, 'approximately, about'. Unlike 上下 (shàng xià) which also means 'approximately' but implies a range (more or less), 左右 is neutral and common for hours and dates. 约 (yuē) is an adverb placed before the number; as a verb, 左右 means 'to control, influence'.
noun
left and rightboth sides(postposition) approximatelyabout (used after numbers or times)
verb
to controlto dominateto influence
Examples
- 左右。Qǐng nǐ kàn yí xià zuǒ yòu liǎng biān.Please look at both the left and right sides.
- 左右。Wǒ měitiān dàgài jiǔ diǎn zuǒ yòu dào jiā.I get home at around nine o'clock every day.
- 左右。Méiyǒu rén néng zuǒ yòu tā de xiǎngfǎ.No one can influence his thoughts.
Browse more HSK 4 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.