Character

右

yòu HSK 2

右 yòu HSK 2

1. right side (opposite of left, the west side when facing south)
2. (class.) the west side
3. higher position or rank (anciently, right was considered superior)
4. to esteem, to value highly
5. politically conservative or reactionary; right-wing
6. (lit.) same as "佑"
7. a surname

Words using 右 as yòu (4)

1 右边 yòu biān — right side HSK 2
- 右 right (direction)
- 边 side
Example

书在桌子的右边。

shū zài zhuō zi de yòu biān

The book is on the right side of the table.
2 左右 zuǒ yòu — left and right HSK 4
- 左 left (side)
- 右 right (side)
Example

注意左右的车辆。

zhù yì zuǒ yòu de chē liàng

Pay attention to vehicles on the left and right.
3 左顾右盼 zuǒ gù yòu pàn — glance around HSK 7
- 左 left (direction)
- 顾 look, turn to look
- 右 right (direction)
- 盼 gaze, look expectantly
Example

他在人群中左顾右盼，寻找朋友。

tā zài rén qún zhōng zuǒ gù yòu pàn xún zhǎo péng you

He glanced around in the crowd, searching for friends.
4 座右铭 zuò yòu míng — motto HSK 7
- 座 seat, position (indicates the place where the motto is kept)
- 右 right (right side of one's seat, indicating proximity)
- 铭 inscription, engraved words (the written motto itself)
Example

他的座右铭是'永不放弃'。

tā de zuò yòu míng shì yǒng bù fàng qì

His motto is 'Never give up.'

Structure & writing

右 yòu — right side (opposite of left, the west side when facing south)

右 is a component in 2 characters

HSK 7

佑 yòu to assist and protect 若 ruò as if; like

右 is an atomic character — it does not decompose further.

Stroke order