also: そう
noun
left and right; both sides
The ordinary spatial meaning: the left and right sides together. Common in directions, movement, and checking both sides.
道路を渡る前に左右を確認してください。
Please check left and right before crossing the road.
船が左右に大きく
The boat rocked greatly from side to side.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb
Most often used as 左右する, meaning to influence, control, or be a deciding factor in an outcome.
天候が試合の結果を左右する。
The weather will influence the outcome of the game.
その一票が選挙の行方を左右した。
That one vote determined the course of the election.
noun
attendants; people at one's side; serving at someone's side
Rare and somewhat historical or literary. Refers to people accompanying or serving someone at their side, often in expressions such as 左右の者 or 左右に侍る.
王は左右の者に静かに命じた。
The king quietly gave orders to the attendants at his side.
殿の左右に侍る家臣たちが頭を下げた。
The retainers serving at their lord's side bowed their heads.
noun
equivocation; evasive speech
Rare as a standalone noun; mainly encountered in the fixed expression 言を左右にする, meaning to avoid giving a clear answer or to equivocate.
彼は言を左右にして、最後まで責任を認めなかった。
He equivocated and never admitted responsibility.