stângul

Stângul is a Romanian noun that denotes the left side of a reference frame, the left-hand side of the body, or the leftward direction. It functions as the definite form of stânga, the term used to indicate left in everyday and technical language. In contrast to dreptul, stângul represents the opposite side or orientation, and it appears in phrases describing position, movement, or alignment.

Etymology and linguistic notes: stângul derives from the Romanian root for left, related to the Latin sinistr-, a common source for words meaning left in many Romance languages. The form stângul is used in standard Romanian to refer specifically to the left when a definite reference is needed, such as in descriptions of locations or sides.

Contexts and usage: In anatomy and everyday speech, stângul refers to the left side of the body or of an object. In navigation or orientation, it designates a leftward direction. The term is also employed in technical fields, such as geometry or engineering, to indicate the left-hand side of a system or drawing.

Political and cultural sense: In Romanian, stânga is widely used to denote the political left or left-wing ideologies, and stângul can appear in more formal or written contexts when discussing left-leaning movements. It is generally paired with dreptul (the right) when contrasting political or ideological positions.

See also: left, stânga politică, orientation.