izquierda
“izquierda” means “left” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
left
Also: left-hand side
📝 In Action
Gira a la izquierda en la siguiente calle.
A1Turn left at the next street.
La farmacia está a la izquierda del supermercado.
A2The pharmacy is to the left of the supermarket.
Escribe con la mano izquierda.
B1She writes with her left hand.
the left
Also: left-wing
📝 In Action
Es un partido político de izquierda.
B2It is a left-wing political party.
La izquierda defiende los servicios públicos.
C1The left defends public services.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: izquierda
Question 1 of 3
How do you say 'to the left' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Unlike most Spanish words that come from Latin, 'izquierda' comes from the Basque word 'ezkerra'. Latin's word for left ('sinister') eventually came to mean 'evil', so people borrowed the Basque word to avoid the bad luck associated with the old term.
First recorded: 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'izquierda' used for left-handed people?
Not usually. To describe a person who uses their left hand, the word 'zurdo' or 'zurda' is used.
Can I use 'izquierdo' instead of 'izquierda'?
'Izquierdo' is the masculine form and is used with masculine nouns (like 'el ojo izquierdo'), while 'izquierda' is used for the direction or with feminine nouns (like 'la mano izquierda').
What is the opposite of 'izquierda'?
The opposite is 'derecha', which means 'right'.