How to Say ‘Turn left at the traffic light.’ in Japanese
信号を左に曲がってください。
shingou o hidari ni magatsu te kudasai
[SHEEN-goh o hee-dah-ree ni mah-gaht teh kudasai]
💬 Usage Tip: 信号 (shingō) means "traffic light". It's one of the most common landmarks in Japanese directions.
Phrase Breakdown
信号を
shingou o
at the traffic light
信号 (shingou) means 'traffic light'. Stretch the long 'ou' sound. を (o) marks the point where you turn.
信号を渡ります。
I cross at the traffic light.
Words in this phrase
信号
shingou
[SHEEN-goh]
traffic light
A traffic signal at a road; often used as a landmark when giving directions.
信号が赤です。
The traffic light is red.
を
o
[o]
object marker
Indicates the object of a verb.
本を読みます。
I read a book.
左に
hidari ni
to the left
左 (hidari) means 'left', and に (ni) shows the direction. Pronounce it evenly: 'hi-da-ri-ni'.
駅は左にあります。
The station is on the left.
Words in this phrase
左
hidari
[hee-dah-ree]
left
The left side of the body.
左の首がつらいです。
My left side of the neck is bothering me.
に
ni
[ni]
to
Indicates direction or purpose.
家に帰ります。
I will return home.
曲がってください。
magatsu te kudasai
please turn
This is a polite request to turn. Note the small っ pause in 'ma-gat-te'.
次で曲がってください。
Please turn at the next one.
Words in this phrase
曲がっ
magatsu
[mah-gaht]
turn
From 曲がる, meaning to turn a corner or bend.
この角を曲がってください。
Please turn at this corner.
て
te
[teh]
te-form ending
Connects the action of waiting to the thanks that follows.
まってくれて、ありがとう。
Thank you for waiting.
ください
kudasai
[kudasai]
please (do)
Used to make a polite request.
手伝ってください。
Please help me.
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