右側(みぎがわ)

右(みぎ) (right) + 側(がわ) (side). Used to specify the right-hand side of a road, building, body, or any spatial reference point.

Common collocations

• 右側(みぎがわ)を歩(ある)く: walk on the right side
• 右側(みぎがわ)に寄(よ)る: move to the right side
• 右側(みぎがわ)通行(つうこう): right-side traffic
• 体(からだ)の右側(みぎがわ): right side of the body

Similar words

• 左側(ひだりがわ): left side — the opposite direction
• 右手(みぎて): right hand, but also used to mean "on the right" in directional contexts
• 右(みぎ): right — more general, while 右側(みぎがわ) specifically emphasizes the side

Usage

In Japan, pedestrians walk on the 右側(みぎがわ) of the road when there is no sidewalk, while vehicles drive on the left. This is the opposite of many other countries.