Translation guide
How to express the action of turning something upside down, or the state of being upside down, in Japanese.
To physically flip an object so that its top becomes the bottom.
The most common and versatile verb for flipping something over or turning it upside down. Can be used for objects, situations, etc.
箱をひっくり返して中身を出した。
I turned the box upside down and emptied its contents.
カードをひっくり返す。
Flip the card over.
Literally 'make it upside down'. Emphasizes the resulting inverted state. Slightly more descriptive than ひっくり返す.
絵を逆さまにして壁にかけた。
I hung the picture upside down on the wall.
Specifically means to turn something inside out or flip to the reverse side. Often used for clothing, paper, etc. Not always a full upside-down flip, but can overlap.
靴下を裏返す。
Turn the socks inside out.
To describe something turning upside down by itself or being in an upside-down state.
Intransitive counterpart of ひっくり返す. Used when something flips over on its own or is flipped over (with focus on the result).
コップがひっくり返った。
The cup tipped over.
車がひっくり返った。
The car flipped over.
To become upside down. Emphasizes the resulting inverted state.
地図が逆さまになっている。
The map is upside down.
To completely change or disrupt a situation, system, or way of thinking.
Also used figuratively to mean overturning a decision, theory, or common sense.
常識をひっくり返す発明。
An invention that turns common sense upside down.
Formal/literary term for overturning (a decision, theory, government, etc.). Stronger nuance of complete reversal.
To ransack or search a place by turning everything upside down.
Literally 'search by turning upside down'. Used when someone rummages through belongings.
部屋中をひっくり返して鍵を探した。
I turned the room upside down looking for the keys.
ひっくり返す focuses on the action of flipping, while 逆さまにする focuses on the resulting upside-down state. Both are common, but ひっくり返す is more colloquial and versatile.
コップをひっくり返した。
I knocked the cup over (action).
コップを逆さまにした。
I placed the cup upside down (state).
判決を覆す。
Overturn the verdict.