Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Turn" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "turn", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
けす
けす (kesu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
翻す
ひるがえす (hirugaesu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "turn" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between けす and 翻す.
In Japanese, けす (けす (kesu)) is typically associated with "to turn off, to erase, to extinguish" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Transitive verb. The opposite of つける.
On the other hand, 翻す (ひるがえす (hirugaesu)) maps to "to turn over; to change; to reverse; to flap (a flag)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 物理的に物を裏返す、または意見、方針、決定などを急に、あるいは完全に変更することを指します。. A literal translation of "turn" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "けす"
電気を消してください。
Please turn off the light.
Bilingual Context for "翻す"
彼は自分の意見を簡単に翻した。
He easily changed his opinion.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "電気を消してください。" (Meaning: "Please turn off the light.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "けす" fits here because it means "to turn off, to erase, to extinguish" in the context of: "Please turn off the light.". "翻す" represents "to turn over; to change; to reverse; to flap (a flag)".