Japanese word

ひっくり返す

Pronunciation

Romajihikkurikaesu

Meaning

  • verbturn over

Example

カードをひっくり返します。kā do o hi kku ri kae shi ma su

I turn the card over.

Illustration for ひっくり返す (turn over)

More examples

ポケットをひっくり返して、鍵を探します。po ke tto o hi kku ri kae shi te kagi o saga shi ma su

I turn my pocket inside out and look for my key.

Core concept

Describes changing an object's orientation so its other side or underside faces upward, or so the object falls onto another side.

Common phrases

  • 紙をひっくり返すkami o hi kku ri kae su

    turn over a sheet of paper

  • 箱をひっくり返すbako o hi kku ri kae su

    turn a box upside down

Similar words

裏返すuragaesu: To turn something over so that its reverse side faces upward.
翻すhirugaesu: To flip an object over and expose another side.

Definition in Japanese

物の表裏や上下を反対にすること。また、物を倒して別の面を上にすること。mono no hyō ri ya jō ge o han tai ni su ru ko to ma ta mono o tao shi te betsu no men o ue ni su ru ko to

Word origin

ひっくり返す (hikkurikaesu) is formed from ひっくり (hikkuri), a mimetic expression for sudden reversal, and 返す (kaesu, "turn back").

Usage tips

  • In headlines and sports commentary, 試合をひっくり返す (shiai o hikkurikaesu) describes a late change that turns a losing game into a winning one.

Other meanings

  • turn upside downverb
  • knock oververb
  • turn inside outverb

Word lists with this word