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
振り向く
ふりむく (furimuku)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "turn" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 消す and 振り向く.
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, 振り向く (ふりむく (furimuku)) maps to "to turn one's head, to look back; to give attention to, to care about" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 後ろや横にあるものを見るために首を回す動作です。また、過去の出来事を振り返る、あるいは他者の関心や支持を得るという意味合いもあります。/ The action of turning one's head to look at something behind or to the side. It can also imply reflecting on past events, or gaining others' interest or support.. 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 "振り向く"
誰かに呼ばれた気がして、思わず後ろを振り向いた。
I felt like someone called me, so I instinctively turned around.
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.". "振り向く" represents "to turn one's head, to look back; to give attention to, to care about".