how to pronounce left

/ˈlɛft/

audio example by a male speaker

audio example by a female speaker

the above transcription of left is a detailed (narrow) transcription according to the rules of the International Phonetic Association; you can find a description of each symbol by clicking the phoneme buttons in the secction below.

left is pronounced in one syllable

press buttons with phonetic symbols to learn how to precisely pronounce each sound of left

1. example pitch curve for pronunciation of left

test your pronunciation of left

press the "test" button to check how closely you can replicate the pitch of a native speaker in your pronunciation of left

video examples of left pronunciation

An example use of left in a speech by a native speaker of american english:

“… oh there's one child left do you know …”

meanings of left

noun:

A wave breaking from left to right (viewed from the shore).
The ensemble of left-wing political parties. Those holding left-wing views as a group.
The left hand or fist.
The left side or direction.
A punch delivered with the left fist.

adverb:

On the left side.
Towards the left side.
Towards the political left.

verb:

Simple past tense and past participle of leave (“depart, separate from; (cause or allow to) remain").
Simple past tense and past participle of leave (“permit").
Simple past tense and past participle of leave (“have a remnant").

adjective:

Pertaining to the political left.
Designating the side of the body toward the west when one is facing north; the opposite of right;.

left frequency in english - A1 level of CEFR

the word left occurs in english on average 428.5 times per one million words; this frequency warrants it to be in the study list for A1 level of language mastery according to CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference.