Japanese word

ひねる

Pronunciation

Romajihineru

Meaning

  • verbturn

Example

蛇口をひねります。ja guchi o hi ne ri ma su

I turn the faucet.

Illustration for ひねる (turn)

More examples

このつまみを左にひねると、音が小さくなります。ko no tsu ma mi o hidari ni hi ne ru to oto ga chii sa ku na ri ma su

If you turn this knob to the left, the sound becomes quieter.

Core concept

Describes rotating something by hand so that its direction or setting changes, from turning a faucet to twisting an object.

Common phrases

  • 蛇口をひねるja guchi o hi ne ru

    turn the faucet

  • つまみをひねるtsu ma mi o hi ne ru

    turn the knob

  • 栓をひねるsen o hi ne ru

    turn the tap

Similar words

回すmawasu: To rotate an object around an axis, often repeatedly or through a wider range.
ねじるnejiru: To twist an object with force, sometimes causing it to bend or wind.

Definition in Japanese

手や指で物を回し、向きや状態を変える。te ya yubi de mono o mawa shi mu ki ya jō tai o ka e ru

Word origin

ひねる (hineru) is a native Japanese verb rather than a Sino-Japanese or borrowed word; its basic sense is turning or twisting something by hand, while its deeper origin is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • 頭をひねる (atama o hineru) uses the same verb in the idiom "to rack one's brains," extending physical twisting to intense mental effort.

Other meanings

  • twistverb

Related words

  • ひねりhineritwistnoun

Word lists with this word