Japanese Conversation · Level 37
90 words
Japanese word
回る
Pronunciation
Romajimawaru
Meaning
- verbturn
Example
自転車の車輪が回ります。ji ten sha no sha rin ga mawa ri ma su
The bicycle wheel turns.
More examples
風車が風を受けて回っています。kaza guruma ga kaze o u ke te mawa tte i ma su
The windmill is spinning in the wind.
Core concept
Describes something moving in a circle, spinning on an axis, or turning to face another direction.
Common phrases
くるくる回るku ru ku ru mawa ru
spin around
時計回りに回るtokei mawa ri ni mawa ru
rotate clockwise
Similar words
回転するkaitensuru: To spin around a fixed point or axis.
曲がるmagaru: To change direction by bending or turning, especially along a road or path.
振り向くfurimuku: To turn the head or body to look behind or toward something.
Definition in Japanese
中心の周りを円形に動くことや、進行する方向を変えることを表す。chū shin no mawa ri o en kei ni ugo ku ko to ya shin kō su ru hō kō o ka e ru ko to o arawa su
Word origin
The native Japanese verb 回る (mawaru) has the stem 回り (mawari), which is also used as a noun for a circuit or turning.
Usage tips
- A clock's hands are said to 回る (mawaru) in Japanese, although English often describes their movement with turn or move.