Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Turn" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "turn", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
消します
けします (keshimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
そっぽを向く
そっぽをむく (soppo o muku)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "turn" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 消します and そっぽを向く.
In Japanese, 消します (けします (keshimasu)) is typically associated with "to turn off, to erase" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Transitive verb. Used for switching off electrical appliances or erasing something.
On the other hand, そっぽを向く (そっぽをむく (soppo o muku)) maps to "to turn away, to look the other way (indicating disinterest, displeasure, or refusal)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents An idiom meaning to intentionally turn one's face away from someone or something, indicating avoidance, rejection, disinterest, or unwillingness to listen/participate.. A literal translation of "turn" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "消します"
電灯を消します。
I turn off the light.
Bilingual Context for "そっぽを向く"
質問されたのに、彼は答えたがらずにそっぽを向いた。
Even though he was asked, he didn't want to answer and turned his face away.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "電灯を ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I turn off the light.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "消します" fits here because it means "to turn off, to erase" in the context of: "I turn off the light.". "そっぽを向く" represents "to turn away, to look the other way (indicating disinterest, displeasure, or refusal)".