Meaning

Primary

To Turn Something

Alternatives

To Rotate Something, To Spin Something

Word Type

transitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

You've already learned 回る, which means "to revolve" or "to rotate," and this is the transitive version of that. You're doing the turning/rotating action on something else, so this means to turn something, to rotate something, or to spin something.

To remember the difference, just think about how you might get sued () if you started aggressively spinning one of those playground spinners while someone else's kids were playing on it. Pretty shady behavior.

Reading

まわす
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading is the same as the word 回る (まわ). So long as you know that word, you'll be able to read this one as well. Use both of these words together to remember their readings.

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 手首を回す

    to rotate one's wrist

    ハンドルを回す

    to turn the steering wheel

    コマを回す

    to spin a top

    アンケートを回す

    to pass around a questionnaire

Context Sentences

ノックの音の後、ドアノブを回す音がした。

After the sound of the knock, there was a sound of the doorknob being turned.

ぼくの兄はピザの生地を回す天才です。

My brother is a genius at spinning pizza dough.

もっとサーモンのおすしを回して下さい。

Please pass around more salmon sushi.

Kanji Composition