Signification
Directional instruction.
Contexte culturel
The Ger is always oriented South. This makes 'Зүүн' (East/Left) the side of the sun's arrival and the traditional place for men's activities. In the city, people use 'Зүүн' and 'Баруун' to refer to the two main halves of the city (East and West Ulaanbaatar). The East is often associated with specific deities and the direction of enlightenment in Mongolian Buddhist practice. When passing items or gesturing inside a Ger, moving in a clockwise direction (which involves moving toward the East/Left first) is considered auspicious.
The Hand Rule
If you are driving, always say 'Зүүн гар тийш' (Left hand side) to be 100% clear you aren't talking about the compass direction.
Ger Etiquette
When entering a Ger, always move to the left (clockwise) to show respect for the traditional flow of the home.
Signification
Directional instruction.
The Hand Rule
If you are driving, always say 'Зүүн гар тийш' (Left hand side) to be 100% clear you aren't talking about the compass direction.
Ger Etiquette
When entering a Ger, always move to the left (clockwise) to show respect for the traditional flow of the home.
Don't Guess
In the steppe, 'East' is a long way. If you aren't sure, don't tell someone to go 'Зүүн тийшээ' unless you have a compass or know the sun's position!
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank to tell the driver to turn left.
Дараагийн уулзвараар ________ эргээрэй.
'Зүүн тийшээ' is the correct phrase for 'to the left'.
Which phrase means 'Towards the East'?
Нар хаанаас манддаг вэ?
The sun rises in the East, which is 'Зүүн'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Миний ном хаана байна? B: Чиний ________ байна, хараарай.
Contextually, B is pointing the person's gaze toward the left.
Match the direction to the Ger orientation.
If you face the door (South) from inside the Ger, where is 'Зүүн'?
In a South-facing Ger, the left side is East (Зүүн).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesДараагийн уулзвараар ________ эргээрэй.
'Зүүн тийшээ' is the correct phrase for 'to the left'.
Нар хаанаас манддаг вэ?
The sun rises in the East, which is 'Зүүн'.
A: Миний ном хаана байна? B: Чиний ________ байна, хараарай.
Contextually, B is pointing the person's gaze toward the left.
If you face the door (South) from inside the Ger, where is 'Зүүн'?
In a South-facing Ger, the left side is East (Зүүн).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsYes, in almost every context. The meaning is determined by whether you are talking about a relative turn or a geographic direction.
Say 'Зүүн тийшээ эргээрэй' (Züün tiishee ergerei).
They are very similar. 'Зүүн тийшээ' is more common for general direction, while 'Зүүн тал руу' emphasizes the 'side' you are moving toward.
It's not rude to use the phrase, but pointing with one finger can be. Use an open palm to gesture 'Зүүн тийшээ'.
It's a cultural habit from nomadic life. Even in a city, many Mongolians maintain a mental map of where North/South/East/West are.
Yes, similar to English, 'Зүүн хүчнийхэн' refers to left-wing political forces.
The opposite is 'Баруун тийшээ' (Baruun tiishee), meaning 'towards the right' or 'towards the west'.
In formal writing, you might see 'Зүүн тийш', but in speech, 'Зүүн тийшээ' is much more natural.
Expressions liées
Баруун тийшээ
contrastTowards the right / Towards the west
Хойшоо
similarTowards the north / Backwards
Урагшаа
similarTowards the south / Forwards
Зүүн гар тийш
specialized formTo the left-hand side
