转
zhuǎn
In Chinese, 'turn' is expressed as 转 (zhuǎn) when meaning to change direction or orientation.
The verb 转 is used to describe changing one's direction. For example, you can specify a direction by using the pattern [Direction] + 转, such as 向左转 (xiàng zuǒ zhuǎn) for 'turn left'. While 转 can stand alone, it is frequently used in the compound verb 转弯 (zhuǎnwān) to specifically mean 'to turn a corner' or 'to make a turn'.
Meaning: transitive: change the direction or orientation of, especially by rotation (verb)
Which one should you use?
The character 转 can be pronounced in two ways depending on the intended meaning: use the third tone zhuǎn to mean 'to change direction', and use the fourth tone zhuàn to mean 'to rotate or spin'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
zhuǎn
Did you know?
- While 转 means to turn, the Chinese language uses the word 掉 (diào), meaning 'to fall', to specify a 'U-turn' as 掉头 (diàotóu) or 'dropping the head'.
- The character 转 is composed of the radical 车 meaning 'cart' or 'vehicle' and the component 专. Historically, this reflects the action of a wheel or a carriage turning.
- When a Chinese speaker says 转 (zhuǎn) in a digital context, they often mean to 'forward' or 'repost' a message or link, similar to how a piece of information 'turns' or moves from one person to another.
Examples in context
- 在第一个信号灯处右转。Turn right at the first traffic light.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use 转 when giving directions at a traffic light.Tatoeba #10005869 by Jeannie, translation #9518568 by CK
- 请在下一个十字路口右转。Turn right at the next intersection.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use 转 when giving directions at an intersection.Tatoeba #4147433 by sissima, translation #658059 by CK
- 转过来。Turn around.This sentence is useful for using 转 to mean 'turn around'.Tatoeba #5092329 by mirrorvan, translation #464282 by lukaszpp
- 他转了个弯。He turned a corner.
- 请你转一转右边的开关。Please turn the switch on the right side.
- 轮子转动得非常快。The wheels are turning very fast.
- 请在红绿灯处转弯。Please make a turn at the traffic lights.
- 一直走，然后在第二个路口拐弯。Go straight and then make a turn at the second intersection.
- 他看着我，突然转身向前走了。He looked at me and suddenly turned around and walked away.
- 这个项目需要一个巨大的思维转变。This project requires a huge mindset shift.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a parking lot, a man is helping a woman park her car.
- 俊杰 Junjie请把方向盘向左转。Qǐng bǎ fāngxiàngpán xiàng zuǒ zhuǎn.Please turn the steering wheel to the left.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen这样转可以吗？Zhèyàng zhuǎn kěyǐ ma?Is turning it like this okay?
- 俊杰 Junjie是的，转一点点就好了。Shì de, zhuǎn yī diǎndiǎn jiù hǎole.Yes, just turn it a little bit.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen好了，停在这里吧。Hǎole, tíng zài zhèlǐ ba.Okay, let's stop here.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 转, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
