Translation guide
A guide to expressing the English verb and noun 'roll' in Japanese, organized by practical meaning.
To move by rotating on an axis, like a ball or wheel.
Intransitive verb for something rolling on its own. Use for balls, rocks, etc.
ボールが坂を転がった。
The ball rolled down the hill.
Transitive verb for rolling something deliberately.
彼は丸太を転がした。
He rolled the log.
To rotate or revolve. More formal or technical.
車輪が回転している。
The wheel is rolling.
To change body position by turning over.
Specifically for rolling over in bed.
夜中に何度も寝返りを打った。
I rolled over many times during the night.
Can be used for rolling on the ground, but less specific.
子供たちが芝生の上を転がった。
The children rolled on the lawn.
To form something into a roll by winding or folding.
General verb for rolling or winding something up.
ポスターを巻いてください。
Please roll up the poster.
To roll something into a ball or cylinder shape.
To make flat by using a rolling pin or similar tool.
To stretch or roll out dough, etc.
麺棒で生地を伸ばす。
Roll out the dough with a rolling pin.
To throw dice.
Standard verb for rolling or throwing dice.
サイコロを振ってください。
Please roll the dice.
To make a rolled food or item by wrapping.
To move on wheels smoothly.
General verb for vehicles moving. Often used for 'roll' in the sense of driving.
車が静かに走っている。
The car is rolling quietly.
Can imply rolling without engine power, or a more casual feel.
A rolled-up object, like a scroll or bread roll.
The English verb 'roll' covers many distinct actions. Translating directly as ロールする is often unnatural. Choose the specific Japanese verb that matches the action.
転がる (intransitive) is for something rolling by itself. 転がす (transitive) is for someone rolling something. Be careful with transitivity.
紙を丸めて捨てた。
I rolled the paper into a ball and threw it away.
車が坂を転がり落ちた。
The car rolled down the hill.