Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Turn" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "turn", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
点ける
つける (tsukeru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
裏返す
うらがえす (uragaesu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "turn" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 点ける and 裏返す.
In Japanese, 点ける (つける (tsukeru)) is typically associated with "to turn on; to light; to switch on" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Transitive verb. Commonly used for turning on lights.
On the other hand, 裏返す (うらがえす (uragaesu)) maps to "to turn inside out, to turn over" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Used for objects with a front/back or inside/outside, such as clothes, cards, or pages.. A literal translation of "turn" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "点ける"
部屋が暗いので、電気を点けてください。
The room is dark, so please turn on the light.
Bilingual Context for "裏返す"
シャツを裏返して洗濯機に入れた。
I turned my shirt inside out and put it in the washing machine.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "部屋が暗いので、電気を点けてください。" (Meaning: "The room is dark, so please turn on the light.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "点ける" fits here because it means "to turn on; to light; to switch on" in the context of: "The room is dark, so please turn on the light.". "裏返す" represents "to turn inside out, to turn over".