ε›ž

JLPT N3

Turn, time

Readings

On’yomi: γ‚«γ‚€ (kai)
Kun’yomi: まわ(γ‚‹), まわ(す) (mawa(ru), mawa(su))
β€’ まわ(γ‚‹) – to turn, to revolve, to go around β€’ まわ(す) – to turn something, to rotate, to circulate

Vocabulary

ε›žγ‚‹
まわる
turn
ε›žζ•°
かいすう
number of times
δ»Šε›ž
こんかい
this time
ε›žθ»’
かいてん
rotation
δΈ€ε›ž
いっかい
once

Example Sentences

εœ°ηƒγŒε›žγ‚ŠγΎγ™γ€‚
けきゅう が γΎγ‚γ‚ŠγΎγ™γ€‚
The earth turns.
ε›žζ•°γ‚’ζ•°γˆγΎγ™γ€‚
かいすう γ‚’ γ‹γžγˆγΎγ™γ€‚
I count the number of times.
δ»Šε›žγ―ζˆεŠŸγ§γ™γ€‚
こんかい は せいこう です。
This time it is a success.
ε›žθ»’γ—γΎγ™γ€‚
かいてん します。
It rotates.
δΈ€ε›žγ γ‘γ§γ™γ€‚
いっかい だけ です。
Only once.

Cultural Note

πŸ”„ In Japanese culture, ε›ž often symbolizes cycles, repetition, and renewal.
β€’ Festivals and traditional events that occur yearly are seen as β€œε›žγ‚‹ε­£η―€β€ (turning of the seasons).
β€’ In business and everyday speech, it’s a polite counter for meetings, events, or chances β€” e.g., ζ¬‘ε›ž (γ˜γ‹γ„ / next time) or δ»Šε›ž (こんかい / this time).
β€’ It’s also used spiritually β€” in Buddhism, ε›žε‘οΌˆγˆγ“γ†οΌ‰ means β€œturning one’s merit” to others, representing the cycle of giving and compassion.