左右 (zuǒyòu) is the Mandarin word for expressing approximation — it goes right after a number to mean "about" or "around." Place it after a time, price, or age and you sound natural instead of overly exact.
The structure is simple: put 左右 (zuǒyòu) directly after the number or time expression. This is the opposite of English, where "about" comes before the number. The key sentence you'll practice is:
我两点左右到 (wǒ liǎng diǎn zuǒyòu dào) — I'll get there around 2 o'clock.
Here, 两点 (liǎng diǎn, "2 o'clock") is the time, and 左右 follows it to signal approximation. The same pattern works for prices ("about 50 yuan") and ages — any number where you want to hedge rather than commit to an exact figure.
This is a live conversation lesson: you talk out loud with AI teacher Mei Lin in real time, by voice, not typing. The lesson targets this one grammar pattern — Expressing Approximation (About/Around) — and takes roughly 10 minutes. Mei Lin corrects your grammar and pronunciation in the flow of conversation and adapts to your level, so you practice saying approximate times, prices, and ages in realistic exchanges rather than memorizing rules.
The first lesson can be tried free. You can also print handwriting worksheets using the free Chinese Worksheet Generator to reinforce the characters from this lesson.
When you're ready, explore more HSK 2 lessons or try another live conversation: Reassuring Predictions with 会...的 (huì...de) or Saying Don't with 别 (bié).
左右 (zuǒyòu) goes right after the number or time expression — the opposite of English, where "about" comes before. For example, in 我两点左右到 (wǒ liǎng diǎn zuǒyòu dào), 左右 follows 两点 ("2 o'clock") to mean "around 2 o'clock." You use the same placement for prices and ages.
This live lesson focuses on Expressing Approximation (About/Around) with 左右 (zuǒyòu). You practice saying approximate times, prices, and ages in real conversation with Mei Lin, so you can hedge numbers naturally instead of sounding overly exact. The lesson takes about 10 minutes.
Yes. 左右 (zuǒyòu) works with any number where you want to express approximation — times, prices, ages, quantities. Put it directly after the number, like "about 50 yuan" or "around 30 years old." The lesson gives you spoken practice with all three categories.
Yes — 左右 (zuǒyòu) is an HSK 2 grammar point. Mei Lin adapts to your level during the live conversation, so whether you're solidifying HSK 2 grammar or reviewing, the lesson meets you where you are. You can find more lessons on the HSK 2 hub page.