Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Turn" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "turn", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
つける
つける (tsukeru)
N5 / 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 つける and 転じる.
In Japanese, つける (つける (tsukeru)) is typically associated with "to turn on, to attach" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Transitive verb. Often used for turning on electronic devices.
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 "つける"
テレビをつけます。
I turn on the TV.
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: "テレビをつけます。" (Meaning: "I turn on the TV.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "つける" fits here because it means "to turn on, to attach" in the context of: "I turn on the TV.". "転じる" represents "to turn, to change, to shift, to move to".