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
ひいては
ひいては (hiiteha)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "turn" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between そらす and ひいては.
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, ひいては (ひいては (hiiteha)) maps to "in turn, consequently" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. 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 "ひいては"
私はひいてはに興味があります。
I am interested in in turn, consequently.
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.". "ひいては" represents "in turn, consequently".