Japanese word

ねじる

Pronunciation

Romajinejiru

Meaning

  • verbtwist

Example

運動で体をねじります。un dō de karada o ne ji ri ma su

I twist my body during exercise.

Illustration for ねじる (twist)

More examples

タオルをねじって水を絞ります。ta o ru o ne ji tte mizu o shibo ri ma su

I twist the towel to squeeze out the water.

Core concept

It describes a turning motion that puts different parts under opposing force and creates a twist.

Common phrases

  • 体をねじるkarada o ne ji ru

    twist your body

  • 上体をねじるjō tai o ne ji ru

    twist your upper body

  • 腰をねじるkoshi o ne ji ru

    twist your waist

Similar words

ひねるhineru: To turn something with a small forceful movement or bend a body part.
よじるyojiru: To twist the body or a body part into an unusual position.

Definition in Japanese

物や体に回す力を加え、ねじれた状態にする。mono ya karada ni mawa su chikara o kuwa e ne ji re ta jō tai ni su ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb ねじる (nejiru) is related in form to ねじれる (nejireru, "become twisted"), distinguishing an action that causes twisting from a change that occurs to something.

Usage tips

  • Because ねじる (nejiru) is transitive, Japanese exercise instructions use it for turning a specified body part rather than for movement that happens by itself.

Other meanings

  • screwverb
  • wrenchverb

Opposites

Related words

  • ねじり方nejirikataway of twistingnoun
  • ねじりnejiritwistnoun
  • ねじれnejiretwistnoun

Word lists with this word