Translation guide
The English word "turn" has many meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: changing direction, rotating, taking a turn in a sequence, becoming something, and more. Each meaning is matched with natural Japanese expressions.
To change the direction you are moving, like turning left or turning a corner.
The most common verb for turning while walking, driving, or cycling. Intransitive.
次の角を右に曲がってください。
Please turn right at the next corner.
あの車は急に曲がった。
That car turned suddenly.
Transitive version of 曲がる. Used when you turn something, like a steering wheel.
ハンドルを左に曲げてください。
Turn the steering wheel to the left.
Formal or technical term for changing direction, like a U-turn or course change.
船は急に方向転換した。
The ship made a sudden turn.
To move around a central point, like turning a key or a wheel spinning.
Transitive verb for turning something, like a knob or key.
鍵を回してドアを開けてください。
Turn the key and open the door.
つまみを右に回すと音量が上がります。
Turn the knob to the right to increase the volume.
Intransitive verb for something spinning or rotating on its own.
When it's your opportunity to do something in a game or activity.
Noun meaning 'one's turn'. Often used with 〜の番 or 順番.
次はあなたの番です。
It's your turn next.
順番を待ってください。
Please wait for your turn.
Means 'taking turns' or 'in shifts'. Used when people alternate doing something.
私たちは交代で運転した。
We took turns driving.
To do something in order or take turns.
順番に自己紹介してください。
Please introduce yourselves in turn.
To change into a different state, like turning red or turning into a frog.
To move to the next page, or to operate a switch.
To turn a page of a book or flip something over.
次のページをめくってください。
Please turn to the next page.
To turn on a light or electrical device.
To turn off a light or device.
テレビを消してください。
Please turn off the TV.
To direct your focus or conversation to a new topic.
To turn one's attention, eyes, or efforts toward something.
彼は注意を私に向けた。
He turned his attention to me.
話を次の話題に向けましょう。
Let's turn the conversation to the next topic.
To turn one's eyes or gaze toward something.
彼女は窓の外に目を向けた。
She turned her eyes to the outside of the window.
To reach a specific age, like turning 20.
Used with age. 〜歳になる means 'to turn (age)'.
来月で20歳になります。
I will turn 20 next month.
To reverse the orientation of an object.
To turn something inside out or flip it over to the other side.
靴下を裏返してください。
Please turn the socks inside out.
English 'turn' is used in many idiomatic ways that don't directly translate to 曲がる or 回す. For example, 'turn on the light' is 電気をつける, not 電気を回す. Always check the specific meaning.
曲がる is for changing direction along a path (turning a corner). 回る is for rotating around an axis (a wheel turning). Don't confuse them.
次の交差点を左に曲がってください。
Turn left at the next intersection.
あなたが話す番です。
It's your turn to speak.
葉が赤くなっています。
The leaves are turning red.
The windmill is turning in the wind.
地球は自転している。
The Earth turns on its axis.
To turn something over, like flipping a pancake or a page.
パンケーキをひっくり返してください。
Please turn the pancake over.
The weather turned suddenly.
彼の顔色が変わった。
His face turned pale. (His complexion changed.)
The fox turned into a beautiful woman.
Please turn on the light.
To turn something upside down or flip it over.
箱をひっくり返して中身を出した。
I turned the box upside down and emptied it.