Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Turn" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "turn", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
そらす
そらす (sorasu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
そっぽを向く
そっぽをむく (soppo o muku)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "turn" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between そらす and そっぽを向く.
In Japanese, そらす (そらす (sorasu)) is typically associated with "to turn away (one's eyes, gaze, attention); to avert; to evade (a question)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents A transitive verb implying a deliberate action to change the direction of something, most commonly one's gaze.
On the other hand, そっぽを向く (そっぽをむく (soppo o muku)) maps to "to turn away, to look the other way (indicating disinterest, displeasure, or refusal)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents An idiom meaning to intentionally turn one's face away from someone or something, indicating avoidance, rejection, disinterest, or unwillingness to listen/participate.. A literal translation of "turn" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "そらす"
彼は私から目をそらしたが、何も言わなかった。
He averted his eyes from me, but said nothing.
Bilingual Context for "そっぽを向く"
質問されたのに、彼は答えたがらずにそっぽを向いた。
Even though he was asked, he didn't want to answer and turned his face away.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼は私から目をそらしたが、何も言わなかった。" (Meaning: "He averted his eyes from me, but said nothing.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "そらす" fits here because it means "to turn away (one's eyes, gaze, attention); to avert; to evade (a question)" in the context of: "He averted his eyes from me, but said nothing.". "そっぽを向く" represents "to turn away, to look the other way (indicating disinterest, displeasure, or refusal)".