左岸 (Zuǒ àn) — the Left Bank (of the Seine in Paris), a historic cultural district associated with artists and intellectuals

Definition

Left Bank — refers specifically to the southern bank of the Seine in Paris, long associated with artists, writers, and intellectuals (cafés, bookshops, the Latin Quarter).

noun
the Left Bank (of the Seine in Paris), a historic cultural district associated with artists and intellectuals
Easily confused

Examples

  • 左岸，。
    Tā zuì xǐ huan zài bā lí de Zuǒ àn sàn bù, gǎn shòu nà lǐ de yì shù fēn wéi.
    She most enjoys strolling on the Left Bank in Paris and soaking in the artistic atmosphere there.
  • 左岸。
    Zuǒ àn De kā fēi guǎn céng jīng shì xǔ duō zhù míng zuò jiā tǎo lùn zuò pǐn de dì fāng.
    The cafés on the Left Bank used to be places where many famous writers discussed their works.
  • ，左岸。
    Duì xǔ duō yóu kè lái shuō, qù Zuǒ àn guàng shū diàn shì bā lí zhī xíng de zhòng yào huán jié.
    For many visitors, browsing bookstores on the Left Bank is a key part of a Paris trip.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

左zuǒleft
岸ànbank

左 means “left,” and 岸 means “bank,” naming the left side of the Seine in Paris.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
工工gōngwork
Sound part声符shēngfú
𠂇
𠂇𠂇左zuǒ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

左 grew from the picture 𠂇, a left hand, with 工 (work) added later.

Open 左 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
屵屵àncliff
Sound part声符shēngfú
干
干gān岸àn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

岸 shows 屵, a cliff, next to 干, which gives a clue to the sound; together they point to the edge of land.

Open 岸 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.