Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Turn" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "turn", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
裏返す
うらがえす (uragaesu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
足を洗う
あしをあらう (ashiwo arau)
B2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "turn" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 裏返す and 足を洗う.
In Japanese, 裏返す (うらがえす (uragaesu)) is typically associated with "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..
On the other hand, 足を洗う (あしをあらう (ashiwo arau)) maps to "to turn over a new leaf" (Syllabus Level: B2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR B2 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "turn" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
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.
Bilingual Context for "足を洗う"
毎日、日本語を練習するために足を洗う。
Every day, I turn over a new leaf to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "シャツを裏返して洗濯機に入れた。" (Meaning: "I turned my shirt inside out and put it in the washing machine.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "裏返す" fits here because it means "to turn inside out, to turn over" in the context of: "I turned my shirt inside out and put it in the washing machine.". "足を洗う" represents "to turn over a new leaf".