돌아서다
doraseoda
To turn around in Korean is to say 돌아서다 (doraseoda).
The verb 돌아서다 is used to describe the physical act of rotating one's body horizontally by 180 degrees. You can use the phrase 뒤로 돌아서다 to clarify that someone is turning their back toward the speaker or a specific object.
Meaning: intransitive: to physically rotate horizontally 180 degrees (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 돌아서다 is a compound verb consisting of 돌다, meaning to turn or rotate and 서다, meaning to stand.
Which one should you use?
While the verb 돌다 refers to the general action of rotating or turning, 돌아서다 specifically emphasizes the completed change in direction or the act of turning one's body to face the opposite way. Additionally, although 뒤돌아 보세요 literally means 'look back', it is used to mean 'turn around' in a formal or polite context.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the sequence of turning around and then immediately performing another action, such as walking away, use the form 돌아서서.
How do you pronounce it?
doraseoda
Did you know?
- While 돌아서다 describes the act of turning, the word 돌다 is also used to describe someone 'going crazy' or 'losing their mind'.
- In certain Korean rhythmic or musical contexts, the concept of 'turning around' or 'revolving' is linked to the word 돌다, which can also mean 'to be in season' or 'to be available'.
- If you say someone 'turned around' in a metaphorical sense, such as 'turning one's back on a person', Korean uses the same 돌아서다 to indicate a social or emotional withdrawal.
Examples in context
- 돌아서세요Turn around, please.
- 돌아봐Turn around.
