zo2左
left
gong2港tit3鐵zaam6站hai2喺zo2左bin1邊
The MTR station is on the left
Learn
Directions
Left, right, front, back
Directions are the backbone of getting anywhere, and this lesson teaches the four you reach for most: left, right, front, and back. You will also learn to tell someone to turn one way or the other, so you can give a quick route or follow one a local rattles off. By the end you can point the way in Cantonese without missing a beat.
What you'll learn
- Say “left” and “right” with 左 (zo2) and 右 (jau6)
- Point ahead and behind using 前 (cin4) and 後 (hau6)
- Tell someone to turn left with 轉左 (zyun3 zo2)
- Tell someone to turn right with 轉右 (zyun3 jau6)
- Combine these to describe a short route step by step
- Follow simple directions a local gives you on the street
Let's learn basic direction words! These are essential for getting around.
jau6右
right
caan1餐teng1廳hai2喺jau6右bin1邊
The restaurant is on the right
cin4前
front / forward
bin6便lei6利dim3店hai2喺cin4前min6面
The convenience store is in front
hau6後
back / behind
ngan4銀hong4行hai2喺hau6後min6面
The bank is at the back
zyun3轉zo2左
turn left
hai2喺cin4前min6面zyun3轉zo2左
Turn left up ahead
zyun3轉jau6右
turn right
zyun3轉jau6右zau6就dou3到soeng1商coeng4場
Turn right and you'll reach the mall
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “left” and “right” in Cantonese?
Left is 左 (zo2) and right is 右 (jau6). They are short, high-frequency words that show up in directions, seating, and everyday instructions.
How do you tell a taxi driver to turn?
Say 轉左 (zyun3 zo2) for “turn left” or 轉右 (zyun3 jau6) for “turn right”. Drivers hear these constantly, so even a beginner will be understood.
What is the difference between 前 and 後?
前 (cin4) means front or forward, while 後 (hau6) means back or behind. Together they let you describe whether something is ahead of you or behind you.