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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

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 消す and 転じる. 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, 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 "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 "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: "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.". "転じる" represents "to turn, to change, to shift, to move to".