How to Say ‘Right or left?’ in Japanese
右と左、どちらですか。
migi to hidari dochira desu ka
[mee-gee toh hee-dah-ree doh-chee-rah dess kah]
💬 Usage Tip: A very practical question. You can answer simply with [右です] or [左です].
🇯🇵 In Japan: Japanese staff often confirm small details rather than assume—good for comfort and accuracy.
Phrase Breakdown
右と左、
migi to hidari
right and left
Names the two sides being compared.
右と左、どちらですか。
Which is it, right or left?
Words in this phrase
右
migi
[mee-gee]
right
The right side, often used for body areas.
右がつらいです。
The right side is painful.
と
to
[toh]
and
Links two options together.
右と左、どちらですか。
Right or left, which is it?
左
hidari
[hee-dah-ree]
left
The left side, used when specifying location.
左が痛いです。
The left side hurts.
どちらですか。
dochira desu ka
which one is it?
Polite question asking someone to choose between two options.
右と左、どちらですか。
Which is it, right or left?
Words in this phrase
どちら
dochira
[doh-chee-rah]
which one
Asks the listener to choose between two things.
右と左、どちらですか。
Right or left, which is it?
です
desu
[dess]
is; am; are
Polite copula in a standard question pattern.
こちらです。
It is this one.
か
ka
[kah]
question marker
Marks the sentence as a question.
どちらですか。
Which one is it?
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