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zuǒ yòu
n./v. about, or so, around; to control, to influence
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什么时候用左右还有差不多?
hlaing hlaing
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What other words might be used when referring to '左右' (zuǒyòu)?
个学生
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In what contexts is '左右' (zuǒyòu) commonly used?
个学生
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How is '左右' (zuǒyòu) used to express the idea of 'around' or 'nearby'?
个学生
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What's the difference between 左右 and 上下?
Nina妙心
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前后 versus 左右

1. When we talk about physical locality, 左右 is "left and right"; 前后 is "left and right".
2. When we talk about a certain time point, both 左右 and 前后 can be used and they are interchangeable. However, note that if time point is a smaller unit we can use both; but if the time point is a larger unit (a certain day in a week), we tend to use 前后. Examples:
- 三点前后 = 三点左右
- 星期一前后 is used more frequently than 星期一左右

3. 前后 also indicates the sequence of actions or events that have happened. 左右 cannot be used in this way. For instance, in this sentence below, we can only use 前后
- 他说的话前后打架,肯定是假的![phr] What he said contradicts itself, (so it) must be untruthful!
lisaC
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前后 is a compound noun of locality. It is a combination of 前 and 后. It can be preceded by a numeral or a Noun-Measure word phrase to indicate an approximate number.
E.g. 我预计停留十天左右。 [phr] I plan to stay for about ten days.
lisaC
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