左利き

ひだりきき · hidarikiki · JLPT N1 · noun

left-hander

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.

利 — grain 禾 + knife 刂
Originally a pictograph showing a knife (刂) cutting grain (禾), depicting harvest. From the idea of a sharp blade reaping crops, it extended to mean 'sharp,' then 'benefit,' 'profit,' or 'advantage' — the gain that comes from a successful harvest.

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