Japanese word

そっぽ

Pronunciation

Romajisoppo

Meaning

  • nounthe other way

Example

猫がそっぽを向きます。neko ga so ppo o mu ki ma su

The cat turns the other way.

Illustration for そっぽ (the other way)

More examples

話しかけると、彼はそっぽを向きました。hana shi ka ke ru to kare wa so ppo o mu ki ma shi ta

When I spoke to him, he turned the other way.

Core concept

It marks a direction away from the person or thing at the center of attention, and can extend to turning away socially.

Common phrases

  • そっぽを向くso ppo o mu ku

    turn the other way

Similar words

よそyoso: A place or direction separate from the one currently being considered.
向こうmukō: A place or direction across from or beyond a reference point.

Definition in Japanese

相手のいる方向とは別の方向。転じて、相手を無視して取り合わない態度。ai te no i ru hō kō to wa betsu no hō kō ten ji te ai te o mu shi shi te to ri a wa na i tai do

Word origin

The noun そっぽ (soppo, "the other direction") is a shortened form of そっぽう (soppō, "an outside direction"), which is written 外方 (soppō, "outside direction").

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, そっぽを向く (soppo o muku) uses を (o) to mark the direction turned toward, not an object being acted on.

Word lists with this word