転がる
korogaru[ko̞ɾo̞ɡa̠ɾɯ̟]
The Japanese verb for 'to roll' or 'to turn over and over' is 転がる (korogaru).
While 転がる describes the action of rolling, the concept of a 'roll' is often encountered in Japanese culinary contexts regarding sushi. For example, Temaki (手巻き) refers to hand rolls that are shaped like a small cone, while Hosomaki (細巻き) refers to traditional thin rolls. Uramaki (裏巻き) is a 'reverse roll,' such as a California roll, and Norimaki (海苔巻き) specifically refers to sushi rolls wrapped in seaweed (nori).
Meaning: to turn over and over (verb)
How do you pronounce it?
korogaru
Did you know?
- The phrase 転がる is used in the idiom 転がる石に苔は生えぬ, which is the direct equivalent of 'a rolling stone gathers no moss'.
- In a culinary sense, the word 巻き (maki) used in sushi rolls comes from the verb 'to roll up' or 'to wrap', focusing on the act of winding rather than the rolling motion.
- While 転がる refers to rolling, Japanese has a different word, 回転する, for the controlled rotation of a wheel or a machine.
Examples in context
- すぐに、止まって、倒れて、転がるんだ！Quick, stop, drop, and roll!This sentence is useful for practicing the command 'Quick, stop, drop and roll!' using 転がる.Tatoeba #10543704 by small_snow, translation #10498809 by Ooneykcall
- すみません、巻き寿司をお願いできますか？Excuse me, could I order a sushi roll?
- 海苔巻きは、定番の寿司ロールです。Norimaki is a classic type of sushi roll.
- 今晩、まき寿司を食べよう！Let's eat sushi rolls tonight!
- 自宅でまき寿司を作ったことありますか？Have you ever made maki-zushi at home?
- ボールが坂道を転がる。Bōru ga sakamichi o korogaru.A ball rolls down the hill.
- 石が川底を転がる。Ishi ga kawasoko o korogaru.Stones roll along the riverbed.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are watching a ball move.
- 蓮 Renあ、ボールがあっちに転がる！A, bōru ga acchi ni korogaru!Oh, the ball is rolling that way!
- 結衣 Yui本当だ、すごく速いね。Hontō da, sugoku hayai ne.You're right, it's really fast.
- 蓮 Renどこまで転がるかな。Doko made korogaru kana.I wonder how far it will roll.
- 結衣 Yuiあそこで止まると思うよ。Asoko de tomaru to omou yo.I think it will stop over there.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 転がる, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
