Meaning
Indicates a direction to the left side.
Cultural Background
In French schools, children are taught to raise their 'main gauche' (left hand) to distinguish it from the right, often using the 'L' shape trick with their thumb and index finger, just like English speakers. The terms 'Left' and 'Right' in politics originated in the French National Assembly of 1789. Those who sat 'à gauche' were the radicals and revolutionaries. In Quebec, directions are often given with 'virer' instead of 'tourner' in informal speech, but 'à gauche' remains the same.
The 'L' Trick
If you forget which is 'gauche', remember that 'gauche' starts with 'G', and in many cultures, the 'G' side is the 'G'ood side... wait, no, just remember 'Gauche' is 'Left'!
Don't say 'Le gauche'
When giving directions, never use the article 'le'. It's always 'à gauche'.
Meaning
Indicates a direction to the left side.
The 'L' Trick
If you forget which is 'gauche', remember that 'gauche' starts with 'G', and in many cultures, the 'G' side is the 'G'ood side... wait, no, just remember 'Gauche' is 'Left'!
Don't say 'Le gauche'
When giving directions, never use the article 'le'. It's always 'à gauche'.
Test Yourself
How do you say 'Turn left' in French?
_______ à gauche.
'Tournez' is the standard verb for 'Turn'.
Complete the sentence: 'The bank is to the left of the park.'
La {la|f} banque est à gauche ___ parc.
'De + le' contracts to 'du' because 'parc' is masculine.
Match the direction to the action.
You see a sign pointing ⬅️. What do you do?
The arrow points left.
Fill in the missing word.
Où est mon café ? - Il est là, à ______.
'Gauche' is the noun for the direction.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercises_______ à gauche.
'Tournez' is the standard verb for 'Turn'.
La {la|f} banque est à gauche ___ parc.
'De + le' contracts to 'du' because 'parc' is masculine.
You see a sign pointing ⬅️. What do you do?
The arrow points left.
Où est mon café ? - Il est là, à ______.
'Gauche' is the noun for the direction.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsYes, when used as a noun for the direction ('la gauche'), it is feminine.
Yes, it is very common and means 'on the left side'.
Related Phrases
À droite
contrastTo the right
Tout droit
similarStraight ahead
À gauche toute !
specialized formHard to port! / All the way left!
