Translation guide
How to express changing direction in Japanese, covering physical movement, figurative shifts, and specific contexts like vehicles or wind.
He suddenly changed direction.
The wind changed direction.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to turn' or 'to bend'. Used when the subject itself changes direction, like a road or a person turning a corner.
Please turn right at the next corner.
This road curves sharply.
Transitive verb meaning 'to bend' or 'to turn' something. Used when someone changes the direction of an object.
He turned the steering wheel to the left.
Similar to 方向を変える but often implies changing the orientation or facing direction, rather than the path of movement.
He turned his body (changed his facing direction).
To shift the course of a plan, policy, conversation, or trend.
A common suru-verb meaning 'to change direction' or 'to shift course', often used for policies, strategies, or life paths.
The company decided to change the direction of its business.
He is thinking about changing the direction of his life.
Specifically means 'to change policy' or 'to change course of action'. More formal and business-like.
The government changed its economic policy.
Literally 'change the route', but often used figuratively for political or organizational lines. Can also be used literally for transportation routes.
To change the direction of a car, bicycle, or other vehicle, including turning at intersections or changing lanes.
The standard verb for turning a vehicle. Use with を to indicate the corner or direction.
That car turned left.
Specifically means 'to change lanes'. A suru-verb used in driving contexts.
Literally 'cut the steering wheel', meaning to turn the steering wheel sharply. Used in driving.
He suddenly turned the steering wheel.
To describe the wind or weather patterns shifting.
方向 (ほうこう) refers to the direction of movement or a line, while 向き (むき) refers to the orientation or facing of an object. Use 方向を変える when changing the path of movement, and 向きを変える when turning something to face a different direction without necessarily moving from the spot.
The robot changed direction and moved forward.
He turned the chair around.
When giving directions like 'turn right at the next corner', use 曲がる (まがる), not 方向を変える. 方向を変える sounds too abstract for simple turns.
Please turn right at the next corner.
The party changed its policy line.
You need to be careful when changing lanes on the highway.