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How to Say ‘On the left’ in German

Auf der linken Seite

owf dair LING-ken ZY-teh

[owf dair LING-ken ZY-teh]

💬 Usage Tip: On its own it's die linke Seite, but after auf it shifts to der linken Seite. Swap in the other side the same way: auf der rechten Seite "on the right".

Phrase Breakdown

Auf der linken

owf dair LING-ken

On the left

'auf der' means 'on the' (feminine, dative). 'linken' is 'left' with a dative adjective ending.

Example

Auf der linken Straßenseite.

On the left side of the street.

Words in this phrase

Auf

[owf]

Used to denote a position above something.

Example

Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch.

The book is on the table.

der

[dair]

the

Feminine article in the dative case, used after 'in' for location.

Example

Das steht in der Zeitung.

That's in the newspaper.

linken

[LING-ken]

left

Adjective 'link' with an ending; describes the left-hand direction or side.

Example

Nimm die linke Straße.

Take the left street.

Seite

[ZY-teh]

side

Feminine noun for one side of something, e.g. of a street.

Example

Die Bank ist auf der rechten Seite.

The bank is on the right side.

Guides for German learners

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