Translation guide
How to express the action or process of turning in Japanese, covering physical rotation, changing direction, and figurative shifts.
To physically turn something around an axis or pivot, like a knob, a wheel, or one's head.
Transitive verb meaning to turn or rotate something. Used for turning a handle, steering wheel, knob, etc.
ハンドルを右に回してください。
Please turn the steering wheel to the right.
彼はドアノブを回した。
He turned the doorknob.
To twist or turn with a twisting motion, often used for smaller objects like a faucet, cap, or a person's arm.
蛇口をひねって水を出した。
I turned the faucet and let the water run.
彼は私の腕をひねった。
He twisted my arm.
To cause to rotate, more formal or technical. Often used for machinery or abstract rotation.
モーターがファンを回転させる。
The motor turns the fan.
To turn left, right, or around while walking, driving, or moving.
Intransitive verb meaning to turn or bend. Used for roads, paths, or a person turning a corner.
次の交差点を右に曲がってください。
Please turn right at the next intersection.
道が急に左に曲がっている。
The road turns sharply to the left.
Transitive verb meaning to bend or turn something. Used when you actively change the direction of something, like a car or a hose.
To change direction, a more formal or deliberate phrase. Used for vehicles, plans, or strategies.
船は急に方向転換した。
The ship turned sharply.
To rotate your own body or head to face a different direction.
To turn one's head or body to look back or to the side, often in response to something.
彼女は名前を呼ばれて振り向いた。
She turned around when her name was called.
To turn around and look back, often over one's shoulder. Can also be used figuratively for reflecting on the past.
To change the direction one is facing. A more general phrase.
彼は体の向きを変えた。
He turned his body.
To turn the page of a book, or to flip an object to its other side.
To turn over a page, card, or thin object. Commonly used for pages.
ページをめくってください。
Please turn the page.
彼はカードを一枚めくった。
He turned over a card.
To turn something inside out or flip it over completely, like a pancake or a piece of clothing.
To change or transform into a different state or thing.
The most common way to express 'turning into' or 'becoming' something. Attach to a noun or na-adjective.
To change into something, emphasizing the transformation. Often used for sudden or magical changes.
カエルが王子に変わった。
The frog turned into a prince.
To reach a specific age.
The standard way to say 'turn (age)'. Literally 'become X years old'.
来月で20歳になります。
I'll be turning 20 next month.
To switch a device on or off. Note: 'turning on/off' is usually expressed with specific verbs, not a general 'turn' verb.
To turn on (lights, TV, etc.).
電気をつけてください。
Please turn on the light.
To turn off (lights, TV, etc.).
テレビを消して。
Turn off the TV.
A turning point in life, a story, or a situation.
A turning point, a critical juncture. Often used in life or history.
あの出来事が人生の転機だった。
That event was a turning point in my life.
Literally 'corner', but figuratively a turning point or crossroads.
In English, we 'turn on' a light or TV, but in Japanese, you must use つける (turn on) or 消す (turn off). Using 回す would mean physically rotating the device.
エアコンをつける
turn on the air conditioner
回す is for continuous rotation (steering wheel, dial), while ひねる implies a twisting motion with limited range (faucet, wrist). ひねる often involves applying force to twist something.
この先、道が左に曲がっています。
The road turns left ahead.
彼女は鍵を回して錠を開けた。
She turned the key in the lock.
彼は昨日30歳になりました。
He turned 30 yesterday.
He turned the car to the left.
彼は後ろを振り返った。
He turned and looked back.
パンケーキを裏返してください。
Please turn the pancake over.
人生の曲がり角に立っている。
I'm at a turning point in my life.