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
足を洗う
あしをあらう (ashiwo arau)
B2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "turn" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between そらす and 足を洗う.
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, 足を洗う (あしをあらう (ashiwo arau)) maps to "to turn over a new leaf" (Syllabus Level: B2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR B2 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 "足を洗う"
毎日、日本語を練習するために足を洗う。
Every day, I turn over a new leaf to practice Japanese.
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.". "足を洗う" represents "to turn over a new leaf".