Translation guide
In Japanese, 'right and left' is most naturally expressed as 左右 (sayuu), a compound noun meaning both sides or lateral direction. It is used in everyday phrases for looking both ways, turning left and right, and describing things on both sides.
Referring to the two sides together, or the lateral direction.
The standard compound noun for 'left and right' or 'both sides'. Used in many common expressions.
左右を確認してください。
Please check left and right.
道の左右に木が植えてある。
Trees are planted on both sides of the road.
Literally 'right and left'. Used when emphasizing the two distinct directions, often in instructions or comparisons.
右と左を間違えないでください。
Don't mix up right and left.
The action of checking for traffic or danger by looking left and right.
The most common way to say 'look both ways'. Used especially when crossing a street.
道路を渡る前に、左右を見ましょう。
Let's look both ways before crossing the road.
A slightly more colloquial version, literally 'look right left'. Common in spoken warnings.
子供に「右左を見てから渡りなさい」と言った。
I told the child, 'Look right and left before crossing.'
Describing motion that alternates between left and right directions.
Means 'move left and right' or 'sway side to side'.
船が左右に揺れた。
The boat rocked left and right.
Emphasizes alternating directions, often in a zigzag or indecisive manner.
彼は右に左に走り回った。
He ran around left and right.
Describing objects or people located on the left and right sides of something.
Used with verbs like ある (exist) or 立つ (stand) to indicate position on both sides.
門の左右に警備員が立っていた。
Guards stood on the left and right of the gate.
Means 'both sides' and is often used interchangeably with 左右 when referring to the sides of a road, river, etc.
通りの両側に店が並んでいる。
Shops line both sides of the street.
Using 'right and left' to mean 'sway' or 'control', as in 'to have someone under one's thumb'.
A verb meaning 'to influence', 'control', or 'determine'. Often used in formal contexts.
彼の意見が会議の結果を左右した。
His opinion swayed the outcome of the meeting.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'to manipulate someone at will', similar to 'have someone eating out of one's hand'.
彼は部下を意のままに操っている。
He has his subordinates under his thumb.
The phrase 'right and left' is inclusive of both sides, while 'right or left' (右か左か) implies a choice. Using 左右 is always inclusive.
In casual speech, when telling someone to look both ways, Japanese often drops the object: ちゃんと見て！ (Look properly!). The context makes 'left and right' understood.