Translation guide
How to express the action or state of turning something upside down, or being turned upside down, in Japanese.
To flip an object so that its top becomes the bottom.
The most common and versatile verb for turning something over or upside down. Used for objects like cups, boxes, or even situations.
コップをひっくり返した。
I turned the cup upside down.
Literally 'make it upside down'. A clear, slightly more formal phrase. Often used in instructions.
箱を逆さまにしてください。
Please turn the box upside down.
Means 'turn inside out' or 'turn over' (like a page or a piece of clothing). Can imply turning upside down if the object is flat, but not the primary meaning.
紙を裏返したら、裏にも字があった。
When I turned the paper over, there was writing on the back too.
To describe something that has flipped over or is in an upside-down state.
Intransitive counterpart of ひっくり返す. Describes something turning over by itself or being flipped.
車がひっくり返った。
The car turned upside down.
Intransitive version of 逆さまにする. Describes the state of being upside down.
絵が逆さまになっている。
The picture is upside down.
To describe a complete reversal of a situation, hierarchy, or expected order.
Also used figuratively for overturning decisions, common sense, or power dynamics.
常識をひっくり返す発明だ。
It's an invention that turns common sense upside down.
Formal/literary word for overturning (a decision, theory, government). Stronger and more abstract than ひっくり返す.
Means 'reverse' or 'turn around', often used for a comeback in sports or a reversal of fortune. Not exactly 'turning upside down' but conveys a dramatic flip.
試合は後半で逆転した。
The game turned around in the second half.
To ransack or search thoroughly by turning things over.
Literally 'turn over and search'. The natural way to say 'turn the place upside down looking for something'.
部屋中をひっくり返して鍵を探した。
I turned the room upside down looking for my keys.
Both mean 'turn upside down'. ひっくり返す is more colloquial and implies a quick flipping action. 逆さまにする is more descriptive and can be used in formal instructions. ひっくり返す also has figurative uses.
フライパンで卵をひっくり返す。
Flip the egg in the frying pan.
この箱は逆さまにしないでください。
Please do not turn this box upside down.
逆さま is for objects. To say a person is upside down (e.g., doing a handstand), use 逆立ち (さかだち) or describe the body position.
亀がひっくり返った。
The turtle turned upside down.
彼はバッグをひっくり返して振った。
He turned his bag upside down and shook it.
裁判所は判決を覆した。
The court overturned the ruling.