Japanese word

裏返す

Pronunciation

Romajiuragaesu

Meaning

  • verbturn over

Example

カードを裏返します。kā do o ura gae shi ma su

I turn the card over.

Illustration for 裏返す (turn over)

More examples

洗濯する前に、シャツを裏返します。sen taku su ru mae ni sha tsu o ura gae shi ma su

I turn the shirt inside out before washing it.

Core concept

Refers to making the hidden or opposite side of something face the viewer by reversing its position.

Common phrases

  • 写真を裏返すsha shin o ura gae su

    turn the photo over

  • シャツを裏返すsha tsu o ura gae su

    turn the shirt inside out

  • 本を裏返すhon o ura gae su

    turn the book over

Similar words

ひっくり返すhikkurikaesu: To turn something over, often so that its upper side faces down or its underside faces up.
めくるmekuru: To turn over a thin object such as a page, card, or sheet by lifting one edge.
翻すhirugaesu: To turn something over with a quick movement, changing which side faces outward.

Definition in Japanese

物の反対側が見えるように、表裏や向きを逆にする。mono no han tai gawa ga mi e ru yō ni hyō ri ya mu ki o gyaku ni su ru

Word origin

The Japanese verb 裏返す (uragaesu, "turn over") joins 裏 (ura, "back or underside") and 返す (kaesu, "return"), naming an action that brings the other side forward.

Usage tips

  • In card games, "turn over a card" can mean reveal it, which makes the physical flipping sense of this verb especially useful in game instructions.

Other meanings

  • turn inside outverb
  • turn the other wayverb

Related words

Word lists with this word