Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Turn" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "turn", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
曲がる
まがる (magaru)
N4 / 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 曲がる and 足を洗う.
In Japanese, 曲がる (まがる (magaru)) is typically associated with "to turn, to bend" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents To change direction.
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 "曲がる"
次の角を右に曲がってください。
Please turn right at the next corner.
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: "次の角を右に曲がってください。" (Meaning: "Please turn right at the next corner.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "曲がる" fits here because it means "to turn, to bend" in the context of: "Please turn right at the next corner.". "足を洗う" represents "to turn over a new leaf".