Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Turn" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "turn", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
消す
けす (kesu)
N4 / 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 消す and そっぽを向く.
In Japanese, 消す (けす (kesu)) is typically associated with "to turn off, to erase, to extinguish (transitive)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents A transitive verb meaning to turn something off, erase, or extinguish. It requires an object.
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 "消す"
部屋を出るときは電気を消してください。
Please turn off the light when you leave the room.
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: "部屋を出るときは電気を消してください。" (Meaning: "Please turn off the light when you leave the room.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "消す" fits here because it means "to turn off, to erase, to extinguish (transitive)" in the context of: "Please turn off the light when you leave the room.". "そっぽを向く" represents "to turn away, to look the other way (indicating disinterest, displeasure, or refusal)".