Translation guide
The English word "right" has many distinct meanings. This guide organizes them by practical use: direction, correctness, entitlement, and more.
Referring to the right side or direction.
The standard word for the right side or direction.
右に曲がってください。
Please turn right.
彼は私の右に座った。
He sat on my right.
Right hand.
Right side (of something).
Expressing that something is correct, accurate, or morally right.
A moral or legal entitlement to have or do something.
Right, privilege, entitlement. Used in legal, social, and personal contexts.
Right now, right here, right away – emphasizing immediacy or precision.
Right now, immediately.
今すぐ来てください。
Come right now.
Referring to conservative or right-wing political positions.
Right wing (political).
Geometry: forming a 90-degree angle.
To fix, adjust, or set something right.
To fix, correct, repair. Used for mistakes, broken things, or adjustments.
English "right" covers both direction and correctness, but Japanese uses completely different words. 右 (みぎ) is only for direction; 正しい (ただしい) is for correctness. Using 右 to mean "correct" is a common learner mistake.
Both mean "right away," but 今すぐ (いますぐ) is more urgent and emphatic. すぐに is more neutral and common in everyday speech.
I write with my right hand.
右側通行です。
Keep to the right.
Correct, right, just. Used for facts, answers, and moral rightness.
あなたの答えは正しいです。
Your answer is right.
正しいことをする。
Do the right thing.
To be correct, to match. More casual and often used in conversation.
その情報は合っていますか？
Is that information right?
There's no mistake; it's definitely right. Used for strong confirmation.
これで間違いない。
This is definitely right.
言論の自由は基本的な権利です。
Freedom of speech is a basic right.
あなたには断る権利があります。
You have the right to refuse.
Right away, immediately. Slightly less urgent than 今すぐ.
すぐに戻ります。
I'll be right back.
Exactly, right (in time or place).
ちょうどここです。
It's right here.
ちょうど間に合った。
I made it right on time.
彼は右翼の政治家です。
He is a right-wing politician.
Conservative (political). Often used instead of 右翼 in general contexts.
保守的な考え方
right-leaning way of thinking
Right angle.
この角は直角です。
This angle is a right angle.
間違いを直してください。
Please correct the mistake.
To correct, rectify (often abstract or formal).
誤りを正す。
To right a wrong.
Stop it right now!
すぐに終わります。
It'll be done right away.
I'll be right there.