Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "つけます", "まがる", "曲がる", "回る"
All represent the core concept "turn", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
つけます
つけます (tsukemasu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
まがる
まがる (magaru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
曲がる
まがる (magaru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
回る
まわる (mawaru)
N4 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "turn" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "つけます", "まがる", "曲がる", "回る" based on context.
- つけます (つけます (tsukemasu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to turn on (a light, power, etc.)" and is used when Transitive verb. Used for switching on electrical appliances, lights, etc. The object is marked with を..
- まがる (まがる (magaru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to turn, to bend" and is used when Used for roads turning or objects bending. 「曲げる.
- 曲がる (まがる (magaru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to turn, to bend" and is used when To change direction.
- 回る (まわる (mawaru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to turn; to revolve; to go around" and is used when An intransitive verb. It describes something spinning on its own axis.
Context for "つけます"
テレビをつけます。
I turn on the TV.
Context for "まがる"
次の角を右に曲がってください。
Please turn right at the next corner.
Context for "曲がる"
次の角を右に曲がってください。
Please turn right at the next corner.
Context for "回る"
地球は太陽の周りを回っています。
The Earth revolves around the sun.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "テレビを ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I turn on the TV.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "つけます" is correct here because it represents "to turn on (a light, power, etc.)" in the context: "I turn on the TV.".