gauche/ɡoʃ/
noun / adjective · A2 · Frequency 1239
nounfeminine
Meanings
the left, the left-hand side
Refers to the spatial left side; common noun usage.
the left (the left-wing political parties as a group; citizens holding left-wing views as a group)
Refers to the left-wing political spectrum or its supporters.
Examples
La gauche de la scène est restée vide pendant toute la représentation.
The left side of the stage remained empty throughout the performance.
Le vestiaire se trouve à la gauche de l'entrée principale.
The cloakroom is to the left of the main entrance.
La gauche a proposé un plan commun pour financer les services publics.
The left proposed a joint plan to fund public services.
Collocations
- la gauche de l’écranthe left side of the screen
- la gauche politiquethe political left
Common mistakes
la gauche (指右边)
la gauche (指左边)
‘gauche’ means left; learners may confuse left and right directions.
la gauche (指右派)
la gauche (指左派)
In political context, ‘gauche’ means left-wing; often confused with ‘droite’.
Related words
nounmasculine
Meanings
left punch (boxing)
Abbreviation for ‘left fist’ in boxing terminology, typically used to describe an action.
Examples
La voiture est garée sur la gauche de la rue, près du café.
The car is parked on the left side of the street, near the café.
Le boxeur a lancé un coup de gauche rapide pour surprendre son adversaire.
The boxer threw a quick left fist to surprise his opponent.
Collocations
- à gaucheon the left, to the left
- un gauche puissanta powerful left punch
Common mistakes
le gauche (指右拳)
le gauche (指左拳)
In boxing, ‘gauche’ means left fist; often confused with ‘droite’ (right fist).
Related words
adjective
Meanings
left
Used to indicate direction or position; common adjectival use.
awkward, gawky, clumsy
Describes a person or movement that is not agile or coordinated.
Examples
Il porte un gant gauche plus épais pour jouer au baseball.
He wears a thicker left-hand glove to play baseball.
Le rétroviseur gauche est couvert de poussière.
The left rear-view mirror is covered in dust.
Son collègue est un peu gauche quand il doit parler en public.
His colleague is a little awkward when he has to speak in public.
Collocations
- la main gauchethe left hand
- un geste gauchean awkward gesture
Common mistakes
la gauche main
la main gauche
The adjective gauche should follow the noun; correct phrase is la main gauche.
il est gauchement
il est gauche
Gauche is an adjective and cannot be used as an adverb (gauchement).
Related words
nounfeminine
Meanings
the left, the left-hand side
Refers to the spatial left side; common noun usage.
the left (the left-wing political parties as a group; citizens holding left-wing views as a group)
Refers to the left-wing political spectrum or its supporters.
Examples
Les gauches du pays défendent des projets sociaux très différents.
The left-wing groups in the country defend very different social programs.
Les gauches municipales ont décidé de travailler ensemble.
The municipal left-wing groups decided to work together.
Dans cette famille, les gauches ne sont pas toujours d'accord entre elles.
In this family, the left-wing groups do not always agree with one another.
nounmasculine
Meanings
left punch (boxing)
Abbreviation for ‘left fist’ in boxing terminology, typically used to describe an action.
Examples
Les gauches sont indiquées en bleu sur le plan.
The left sides are marked in blue on the plan.
Le guide nous a demandé de prendre les gauches après le pont.
The guide asked us to take the left turns after the bridge.
Sur ce schéma, les gauches correspondent aux sorties secondaires.
On this diagram, the left sides correspond to the secondary exits.