Japanese word

めくる

Pronunciation

Romajimekuru

Meaning

  • verbturn pages

Example

ノートのページをめくります。nō to no pē ji o me ku ri ma su

I turn the pages of my notebook.

Illustration for めくる (turn pages)

More examples

古いアルバムをめくると、懐かしい写真が見つかります。furu i a ru ba mu o me ku ru to natsu ka shi i sha shin ga mi tsu ka ri ma su

When I turn the pages of an old photo album, I find nostalgic pictures.

Core concept

It describes moving a page by lifting and flipping it so the next page becomes visible.

Common phrases

  • ページをめくるpē ji o me ku ru

    turn the pages

  • 本をめくるhon o me ku ru

    leaf through a book

Similar words

繰るkuru: To turn pages one by one, often while reading or looking through a book.
返すkaesu: To turn a page in a book or magazine to continue reading.

Definition in Japanese

本やノートなどのページを、端を持ち上げて裏返し、次のページを出す。hon ya nō to na do no pē ji o hashi o mo chi a ge te ura gae shi tsugi no pē ji o da su

Word origin

The Japanese verb めくる (mekuru) is formed from めく (meku), "to lift or turn up," and the verb-forming ending る (ru).

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, this verb applies to pages in notebooks, books, calendars, and magazines, so it describes more than reading a book.

Other meanings

  • turn oververb
  • leaf throughverb

Related words

  • めくり方mekurikataway of turning pagesnoun

Word lists with this word