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
転じる
てんじる (tenjiru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "turn" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between そらす and 転じる.
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, 転じる (てんじる (tenjiru)) maps to "to turn, to change, to shift, to move to" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Often implies a change in direction, situation, job, or topic. Can be transitive. 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 "転じる"
彼女はキャリアをIT業界に転じた。
She shifted her career to the IT industry.
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.". "転じる" represents "to turn, to change, to shift, to move to".