右 is a Chinese character with HSK 2 on the new exam.
Etymology
Oracle-bone origin
The oracle-bone and bronze forms show a right hand, written as 又, sometimes with a 口 added below in later inscriptions. In the earliest graphs 又 alone was used for both the hand and the idea of right side. The 口 was added to disambiguate the directional meaning from the plain hand graph.
Form evolution
Bronze inscriptions began pairing 又 with 口 to mark the directional sense. Seal script stabilised this combination with 又 on top and 口 below. Clerical script reshaped the upper hand into the 𠂇 stroke pattern still used, and 楷书 produced the modern 右 with its characteristic top-left downward sweep.
How the meaning evolved
The original meaning was the right hand, which generalised to the right side. In classical Chinese 右 also carried connotations of superiority, because seating of honour was on the right in certain ritual contexts, giving rise to terms like 右丞相 (senior chancellor). In modern Mandarin the directional meaning dominates, though the political sense of 右派 (right-wing) reflects the later Western-derived usage.
Cultural note
The pairing of 左 and 右 in Chinese carried ritual weight that shifted between dynasties: Han officials ranked 右 higher, but Tang practice reversed it to put 左 above. Compounds like 无出其右 (none can surpass him) preserve the archaic sense of right as superior.
Basic info
| New HSK exam | Recognise at HSK 2 |
| Frequency | #1022 most common |
Example sentences
Words containing 右
On the new HSK 2 exam
Studying for HSK 2? Keep 右 with the rest of your level.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.