Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 10: 20/20

左右(さゆう)するInfluence, Impact, Control

Structure

左右(さゆう) + する(1)
左右(さゆう) + する(1) + Noun

(1) される

Details

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About 左右する

左右(さゆう) is a noun that may literally be translated as 'left and right'. This particular noun is quite often used as a する verb, in order to convey the level of control someone has over a specific situation. This control may be translated as 'influence', 'impact', 'dictate' or simply 'control'.

左右(さゆう)する may be used by itself, when describing a whole clause, or it may be followed directly by another noun, to show exactly what is being controlled/influenced.

左右(さゆう)する is frequently seen in the passive form 左右(さゆう)される. This is used most often when the noun following される is the thing that is being controlled itself, rather than こと or もの referring back to an earlier statement.

Caution

左右(さゆう)する implies direct (A)'s direct control of (B), and is far stronger than to affect '影響(えいきょう)'. Due to this, 左右(さゆう) may be thought of as being closer to 'to dominate' in English. In Japanese though, the most basic description is 思(おも)うままに動(うご)かす 'to move exactly as one wishes'.

Examples

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    流行(りゅうこう)についてのサイト、記事(きじ)のタイトル：「靴磨(くつみが)きが靴(くつ)の寿命(じゅみょう)と美(うつく)しさを左右(さゆう)する」

    Website about fashion, title of an article: 'Polishing shoes influences the shoe's lifespan and beauty.' (impacts・affects)

    歴史書(れきししょ)：「古代(こだい)ギリシャ人(じん)は自分(じぶん)たちの生活(せいかつ)が神々(かみがみ)に左右(さゆう)されると信(しん)じていた。」

    History book: 'Ancient Greeks believed that their lives were influenced by gods.' (impacted・controlled)

    ビジネス記事(きじ)：「新(あたら)しい法律(ほうりつ)が電気(でんき)自動車(じどうしゃ)の需要(じゅよう)を左右(さゆう)するかもしれない。」

    Business article: 'The new law may influence the demand for electric cars.' (impact・control)

    教科書(きょうかしょ)：「裁判官(さいばんかん)は賄賂(わいろ)などによって左右(さゆう)されないよう良(い)い給与(きゅうよ)が保証(ほしょう)されている。」

    Textbook: 'Judges are guaranteed a decent salary so that they won't be swayed (influenced) by bribes and the like. ' (impacted・controlled)

    記事(きじ)：「平均余命(へいきんよめい)を大(おお)きく左右(さゆう)するのは食生活(しょくせいかつ)や睡眠時間(すいみんじかん)だと考(かんが)えられている。」

    Article: 'One's eating habits and the amount of sleep one gets are thought to have a huge influence on life expectancy.' (impact・control)

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