Meaning
Giving directions for a location or turn.
Cultural Background
The 'mancino' (left-handed person) was historically viewed with suspicion. Even today, some older Italians might make a joke about the 'devil's hand', though it's purely in jest. The terms 'destra' and 'sinistra' are used daily in news. 'La sinistra' often refers to the heritage of the Italian Communist Party (PCI) and the Socialist Party. In many Renaissance paintings, the 'sinistra' side of the canvas was reserved for less holy or more worldly figures, following the Latin 'sinister' tradition. When walking on narrow Italian sidewalks, there isn't a strict 'stay to the right' rule like in some countries, but 'tenere la sinistra' is often requested on escalators to let people pass on the right.
Handy Trick
Make an 'L' shape with your left hand. In Italian, 'L' is for 'Lato' (side), and that's your 'sinistra'.
Article Trap
Don't say 'alla sinistra' when giving directions. Just 'a sinistra'.
Meaning
Giving directions for a location or turn.
Handy Trick
Make an 'L' shape with your left hand. In Italian, 'L' is for 'Lato' (side), and that's your 'sinistra'.
Article Trap
Don't say 'alla sinistra' when giving directions. Just 'a sinistra'.
GPS Fluency
Change your phone's GPS to Italian. You will hear 'a sinistra' so often you'll never forget it.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing preposition.
La farmacia è ___ sinistra.
The standard preposition for 'on the left' is 'a'.
Choose the correct translation for 'Turn left'.
Come si dice 'Turn left'?
'Sinistra' means left, 'destra' means right.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Scusi, dov'è il Duomo? B: È semplice, vada sempre dritto e poi giri ___.
When giving directions for a turn, 'a sinistra' is the correct phrase.
Match the phrase to the context.
In alto a sinistra
'In alto' means 'at the top'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Directions in Italian
Basic
- • a sinistra
- • a destra
- • dritto
Practice Bank
4 exercisesLa farmacia è ___ sinistra.
The standard preposition for 'on the left' is 'a'.
Come si dice 'Turn left'?
'Sinistra' means left, 'destra' means right.
A: Scusi, dov'è il Duomo? B: È semplice, vada sempre dritto e poi giri ___.
When giving directions for a turn, 'a sinistra' is the correct phrase.
In alto a sinistra
'In alto' means 'at the top'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is neutral and can be used in any context.
Italian drops the article in many common adverbial phrases of place.
Use 'a sinistra della macchina'.
In modern Italian, no. It only means 'left'.
The opposite is 'a destra'.
Always use 'a' for 'a sinistra'.
Yes, to describe positions on the field.
It means left-handed.
Yes, 'la sinistra' is the political left.
Gira a sinistra.
Related Phrases
a destra
contrastto the right
sulla sinistra
similaron the left side
mancino
specialized formleft-handed
a sinistra di
builds onto the left of
