A la izquierda.
To the left.
When someone points the way, a la izquierda on its own is a complete answer.
From Terror bajo la tierra 2 · Spanish audio
Spanish vocabularyA1 · Beginner
How to say "left" in Spanish
a la izquierda
phrasenoun: la izquierdaadjective: izquierdoopposite: a la derecha
"Left" in Spanish is izquierda. For directions, say a la izquierda, which means to the left or on the left. Next to a noun it works as an adjective and agrees with it: la mano izquierda (the left hand), el pie izquierdo (the left foot).
Hear "izquierda" in real movie scenes
Two short lines that point the way. Each video starts and stops on that line.
Ahí al final, a la izquierda.
Over there at the end, on the left.
Someone who knows the place first says how far to go, then which side it's on.
From La boda de mi mejor amigo · Spanish audio
Giving directions with izquierda
Six phrases you'll hear when you ask for the way.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| a la izquierda | to the left, on the left |
| gire a la izquierda | turn left (polite, to usted) |
| gira a la izquierda | turn left (informal, to tú) |
| a mano izquierda | on the left-hand side |
| la segunda a la izquierda | the second street on the left |
| de izquierda a derecha | from left to right |
Tip: Right is a la derecha, and straight ahead is todo recto in Spain or derecho in Latin America.
Grammar: izquierda, izquierdo
Four points to get the word right.
The noun is feminine
la izquierda is the left side. That's why the phrase is a la izquierda, never al izquierda.The adjective agrees
It goes after the noun and matches its gender: la mano izquierda, el pie izquierdo, el lado izquierdo.Where is it? Use estar
La tienda está a la izquierda. The store is on the left. To say something exists there, use hay: A la izquierda hay un supermercado.Say it right
The qu sounds like k and the u is silent: ees-KYEHR-dah. In most of Spain the z sounds like English th.Example sentences
Sentences from the Wordy Spanish course. Tap to listen.
La tienda está a la izquierda.
The store is on the left.
Mire, el mercado está a la izquierda.
Look, the market is on the left.
A la izquierda hay un supermercado.
There's a supermarket on the left.
A nueve metros, gire a la izquierda.
In nine meters, turn left.
Common mistakes
Mistakes learners make with this word, and how to fix them.
✗al izquierda
✓a la izquierda
Izquierda is feminine, so a and la stay separate. Only a + el becomes al.
✗ees-KWYEHR-dah (pronunciation)
✓ees-KYEHR-dah
The u after q is silent.
✗el pie izquierda
✓el pie izquierdo
Pie is masculine, so the adjective ends in -o.
Practice: 3 quick exercises
Free, and you don't need an account.
1 of 3 · Watch and choose
What do you hear in the video?
The other 25 exercises on this topic are in the app.
How to remember it
The middle of izquierda sounds like skier: iz-QUIER-da. Picture a skier carving hard to the left.
Questions about "left" in Spanish
How do you say left in Spanish?
Izquierda. For directions, say a la izquierda: to the left or on the left.
How do you say "turn left" in Spanish?
Gire a la izquierda to someone you call usted, or gira a la izquierda to a friend.
What's the difference between derecha and derecho?
A la derecha means to the right. In Latin America, derecho in directions means straight ahead, and in Spain people say todo recto.
How do you say "he left" in Spanish?
Se fue or salió. That kind of left comes from the verbs irse and salir, not from izquierda.
