Japanese word

ひっくり返る

Pronunciation

Romajihikkurikaeru

Meaning

  • verbturn over

Example

風で箱がひっくり返ります。kaze de bako ga hi kku ri kae ri ma su

The box turns over in the wind.

Illustration for ひっくり返る (turn over)

More examples

荷物を載せすぎて、台車がひっくり返りました。ni motsu o no se su gi te dai sha ga hi kku ri kae ri ma shi ta

The cart turned over because it was overloaded.

Core concept

Describes an object or vehicle changing from an upright or stable position into an inverted or overturned one.

Common phrases

  • 船がひっくり返るfune ga hi kku ri kae ru

    a boat capsizes

  • バケツがひっくり返るba ke tsu ga hi kku ri kae ru

    a bucket tips over

Similar words

転倒するtentōsuru: An upright object loses its balance and falls onto its side or another surface.
裏返るuragaeru: An object turns with its other side facing upward or outward.
横転するōtensuru: A vehicle or large object falls onto its side.
転覆するtenpukusuru: A boat or vehicle overturns, often with its underside facing up.

Definition in Japanese

物や乗り物が、上下が逆になったり横倒しになったりして、倒れた状態になる。mono ya no ri mono ga jō ge ga gyaku ni na tta ri yoko dao shi ni na tta ri shi te tao re ta jō tai ni na ru

Word origin

The verb ひっくり返る (hikkurikaeru) combines ひっくり (hikkuri), a mimetic form for a sudden overturning motion, with 返る (kaeru, "return or reverse").

Usage tips

  • Unlike English capsize, which normally describes a boat, the Japanese verb applies to everyday objects such as boxes as well as vehicles.

Other meanings

  • capsizeverb

Word lists with this word