• 右側みぎがわ — right side
• 左側ひだりがわ — left side
• 側面そくめん — side, aspect
• 内側うちがわ — inside surface
• 外側そとがわ — outside surface
• 味方側みかたがわ — ally side

The radical 亻 means “person,” and the rest of the character implies direction or placement. Together, it reflects a person’s position or alignment — whether physical (as in one side of something) or relational (such as being on someone’s side).

車くるまは 左側ひだりがわを走はしります。
Cars drive on the left side (in Japan).

彼かれの側そばに座すわりました。
I sat by his side.

建物たてものの 外側そとがわを見みてください。
Please look at the outside of the building.

🎧 “ソク” is used in formal or compound words, while “がわ” and “かわ” are used in everyday directional terms and spatial descriptions.