転機
tenki[tẽ̞ŋʲkʲi]
The English phrase turning point can be translated into Japanese as 転機 (tenki). If unsure, use 転機. Wiktionary also lists 変わり目 (kawarime).
Meaning: decisive point (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 転機 | tenki | [tẽ̞ŋʲkʲi] (narrow) |
| 変わり目 | kawarime |
The term is used to describe a decisive point. A common way to express that a situation or a person's life has reached a decisive turning point is to use the phrase 転機を迎える (to reach a turning point).
What does it mean word for word?
The word 転機 is composed of the kanji 転 (ten), meaning 'to turn' or 'to roll' and 機 (ki), meaning 'opportunity' or 'chance'.
Which one should you use?
While both terms mean turning point, 転機 is more abstract and often used for life-changing events or historical shifts. In contrast, 変わり目 often refers to a physical or temporal transition point, such as a change in seasons or a change in a person's stage of life.
How do you pronounce it?
tenki
Did you know?
- The word 転機 is a homophone for 天気, the word for 'weather'. In spoken Japanese, listeners rely on context to know if you are talking about a life-changing 'turning point' or the 'weather' today.
- The kanji 機 in 転機 is the same character used in 機械 for 'machine'. It shares a root meaning of a 'mechanism' or 'device' that triggers a change.
- The phrase 転機を迎える uses the verb 迎える, which literally means 'to welcome' or 'to greet'. This frames a turning point as a guest arriving in one's life.
Examples in context
- 人生の大きな転機となりました。Jinsei no ookina tenki to narimashita.It was a major turning point in my life.
- 彼は転機を迎えています。Kare wa tenki o mukaete imasu.He is reaching a turning point.
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are discussing Ren's recent career change at a cafe.
- 結衣 Yui新しい会社はどうですか？Atarashii kaisha wa dou desu ka?How is the new company?
- 蓮 Ren人生の転機になりそうです。Jinsei no tenki ni nari sou desu.It looks like it will be a turning point in my life.
- 結衣 Yuiそれは素晴らしいことですね。Sore wa subarashii koto desu ne.That is a wonderful thing.
- 蓮 Renはい、とても楽しみです。Hai, totemo tanoshimi desu.Yes, I am looking forward to it very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “turning point” translations and entries 転機, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
