左 + V + 右 + V
HSK 6- Emphasis
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The structure '左...右...' expresses repeated actions or careful deliberation and hesitation.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
The structure 左 + V + 右 + V is used to describe an action that is repeated over and over, typically expressing hesitation, uncertainty, or careful deliberation. You can think of it as "doing this and then doing that again" without yet arriving at a final result.
The verb (V) is repeated on both sides. Verbs commonly found in this structure include 想 (think), 看 (look), 挑 (pick/choose), 比 (compare), etc.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他左思右想，还是没主意。繁: 他左思右想，還是沒主意。Tā zuǒ sī yòu xiǎng, háishì méi zhǔyì.
He pondered back and forth, but still had no idea what to do.
- 她在店里左看右看，没买东西。繁: 她在店裡左看右看，沒買東西。Tā zài diàn lǐ zuǒ kàn yòu kàn, méi mǎi dōngxi.
She looked around the store left and right without buying anything.
- 我左挑右选，终于买到了这件衣服。繁: 我左挑右選，終於買到了這件衣服。Wǒ zuǒ tiāo yòu xuǎn, zhōngyú mǎi dào le zhè jiàn yīfu.
I chose and selected carefully from left to right, and finally managed to buy this piece of clothing.
- 这个问题我们左谈右谈也没结果。繁: 這個問題我們左談右談也沒結果。Zhège wèntí wǒmen zuǒ tán yòu tán yě méi jiéguǒ.
No matter how much we discussed this problem from different angles, we still couldn't reach a conclusion.
- 他把那封信左读右读，看了很多遍。繁: 他把那封信左讀右讀，看了很多遍。Tā bǎ nà fēng xìn zuǒ dú yòu dú, kàn le hěn duō biàn.
He read that letter over and over again, looking at it many times from every angle.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我左看右想，不知道买哪个。Correct:我左看右看，不知道买哪个。
The two verbs in this structure must be identical. If you want to express two different actions, do not use this structure.
- Wrong:他思左想右，还是没主意。Correct:他左思右想，还是没主意。
左 and 右 always stand immediately before the verb they modify; you cannot insert the verb between them.