Japanese Conversation · Level 120
60 words
Japanese word
振り返る
Pronunciation
Romajifurikaeru
Meaning
- verbturn around
Example
先生に呼ばれて、振り返ります。sen sei ni yo ba re te fu ri kae ri ma su
I turn around when my teacher calls me.
More examples
物音がしたので、振り返って後ろを確認しました。mono oto ga shi ta no de fu ri kae tte ushi ro o kaku nin shi ma shi ta
I turned around to check behind me when I heard a noise.
Core concept
Expresses directing the body, face, or eyes back toward something behind.
Common phrases
後ろを振り返るushi ro o fu ri kae ru
look back
過去を振り返るka ko o fu ri kae ru
look back on the past
肩越しに振り返るkata go shi ni fu ri kae ru
look back over one's shoulder
Similar words
振り向くfurimuku: To turn the head or body toward something behind.
向き直るmukinaoru: To turn the body around and face the other way.
Definition in Japanese
後方にあるものへ向かって、体や顔を向け直す。kō hō ni a ru mo no e mu ka tte karada ya kao o mu ke nao su
Word origin
The word combines 振る (furu, "swing") in its linking form 振り (furi) with 返る (kaeru, "return"), forming the sense of turning back.
Usage tips
- In everyday Japanese, 振り返る (furikaeru) can describe reviewing past events, not only turning toward something behind.
Other meanings
- look backverb
- look over one's shoulderverb
Related words
- 振り返りfurikaerireviewnoun