Japanese word

転がる

Pronunciation

Romajikorogaru

Meaning

  • verbroll

Example

ボールが転がります。bō ru ga koro ga ri ma su

The ball rolls.

Illustration for 転がる (roll)

More examples

りんごがテーブルから転がって落ちます。ri n go ga tē bu ru ka ra koro ga tte o chi ma su

An apple rolls off the table.

Core concept

Describes an object moving forward as it turns over and over, often after a push or on a slope.

Common phrases

  • 斜面を転がるsha men o koro ga ru

    roll down a slope

  • 坂道を転がるsaka michi o koro ga ru

    roll down a hill

  • 床でごろごろ転がるyuka de go ro go ro koro ga ru

    roll around on the floor

Similar words

転げるkorogeru: To roll or tumble as a result of falling or losing balance.
回るmawaru: To rotate or travel around a center or place.

Definition in Japanese

物が回転しながら移動する。mono ga kai ten shi na ga ra i dō su ru

Word origin

転がる (korogaru) is a native Japanese verb with an uncertain historical origin; it is related in form and meaning to 転ぶ (korobu, "to fall over").

Usage tips

  • 転がる (korogaru) is intransitive, while 転がす (korogasu) is transitive, so the latter describes making an object roll.

Other meanings

  • tumbleverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 転がり方korogarikataway of rollingnoun
  • 転がりkorogarirollnoun

Word lists with this word