左右
zuǒyòu · HSK 3
left and right
⬅️➡️ 左 (left) + 右 (right) = left and right, also means 'approximately'
Compound of 左 zuǒ (left) and 右 yòu (right). Beyond the literal directions, 左右 often follows a number to mean 'around' or 'approximately', e.g. 十块左右 = about ten kuai.
左 — hand 𠂇 + work 工
Originally a pictograph of the left hand, later combined with 工 ('work') to specify the meaning 'left' and distinguish it from 右 ('right', hand + mouth). The hand component 𠂇 depicts fingers and a wrist, while 工 was added as a semantic clarifier referring to assisting work.
右 — hand 𝆑 (又) + mouth 口
Originally a pictograph of the right hand (又). Later 口 'mouth' was added to distinguish the directional meaning 'right' from the older hand sense. The 又 component now appears stylized as the top-left stroke shape, while 口 sits below.