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B1 verb #2,000 le plus courant 6 min de lecture

回す

mawasu Top 2,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 回す en 30 secondes

Explication 回す in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners should focus on the most basic physical meaning of 'mawasu': turning something with your hands. This usually involves simple objects like a key (kagi), a knob, or a toy. The focus is on the 'Subject + Object + Verb' structure. You might see it in simple instructions like 'Turn the handle.' At this stage, don't worry about the abstract meanings like 'circulating money' or 'pulling strings.' Just remember that if you are making something go in a circle, you are 'mawasu'-ing it. It is one of the first transitive verbs you learn that has a clear physical result. You will likely encounter it in the context of opening doors or using simple household items. The key takeaway for A1 is: I do the action, the object turns.

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At the A2 level, the use of 'mawasu' expands to include 'passing' things in a sequence. This is very common in Japanese social and classroom etiquette. For example, 'Please pass this paper to the next person' (kono kami o mawashite kudasai). You also start to see it used for operating simple machines that have a rotating element, like a washing machine or a microwave. Even if the machine has buttons, the verb 'mawasu' is used because of the internal rotation or the historical use of dials. You should also begin to distinguish it clearly from 'mawaru' (to turn/revolve). A2 learners should be comfortable using 'mawasu' for physical rotation and simple distribution of items among a small group.

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At the B1 level (your current level), 'mawasu' becomes more versatile and appears in professional and abstract contexts. You will use it to describe 'circulating' information, such as a memo in an office or a notice in a neighborhood (kairanban). It also starts to appear in sports contexts, like 'passing the ball around' (ball o mawasu). You should be aware of its potential form 'mawaseru' (can turn) and its use in compound verbs like 'furimawasu' (to swing around). B1 learners should also understand the concept of 'operating' a business or a project using this verb, implying a sense of keeping things moving and functional. You are moving from purely physical actions to functional and social processes.

At the B2 level, 'mawasu' is used in more complex social and economic descriptions. You will encounter it in discussions about 'circulating capital' (shikin o mawasu) or 'managing' resources efficiently. The metaphorical uses become more frequent, such as 'te o mawasu' (to make secret arrangements or pull strings). You should be able to use 'mawasu' to describe delegating tasks or transferring responsibility within a hierarchy. The nuance here is about control and systemic flow. You will also see it in more idiomatic expressions and in literature to describe the 'turning' of seasons or the 'passing' of time in a more active, causative sense. Your understanding should include the subtle power dynamics implied when someone 'mawasu' a situation.

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At the C1 level, you are expected to understand the deep idiomatic and nuanced uses of 'mawasu'. This includes phrases like 'chie o mawasu' (to rack one's brains or use one's wits) and 'ki o mawasu' (to overthink or have groundless suspicions). You will see 'mawasu' used in high-level business Japanese to describe the 'turnover' of inventory or the strategic 'rotation' of personnel. The verb takes on a sophisticated tone, describing the intricate management of people, money, and ideas. You should be able to distinguish between the various shades of 'passing'—whether it's passing a phone call, passing a responsibility, or passing a rumor. Your usage should reflect a mastery of the transitive nature of the verb to imply agency in complex systems.

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At the C2 level, 'mawasu' is a tool for precise and evocative expression. You will find it in classical-style modern literature or high-level political analysis to describe the 'gears of society' or the 'maneuvering' of political factions. You understand the historical weight of the kanji '回' and how it relates to concepts of return, cycle, and eternity. You can use 'mawasu' to describe the subtle manipulation of public opinion or the masterful orchestration of a large-scale event. At this level, the distinction between physical rotation and abstract management is seamless; you choose 'mawasu' because it perfectly captures the causative, cyclical, and directional nature of the action you are describing, no matter how abstract the object may be.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

回す en 30 secondes

To rotate or turn an object physically (like a key or wheel).
To pass or circulate items among people (like memos or food).
To operate machines or processes (like a washing machine).
To allocate or manage resources (like money or tasks).

The Japanese verb 回す (mawasu) is a versatile transitive verb that primarily denotes the action of causing something to rotate, revolve, or circulate. Unlike its intransitive counterpart 回る (mawaru), which describes something turning on its own, 回す requires an external agent—a person or a force—to initiate the movement. This distinction is crucial for learners at the B1 level as it defines the relationship between the subject and the object in a sentence. Whether you are physically turning a door handle or metaphorically circulating a document through an office, 回す is the operative word for directed circular motion or distribution.

Physical Rotation: The most literal use involves physical objects. Turning a key in a lock, spinning a wheel, or rotating a dial on a microwave all use this verb. It implies a deliberate action to change the orientation or state of an object through circular force.
Circulation and Distribution: Beyond physical spinning, it refers to passing items along a sequence. In a Japanese classroom or office, 'passing a handout' or 'circulating a memo' uses 回す. It suggests a flow from one person to the next in a controlled loop or line.
Functional Operation: In a more abstract sense, it can mean to 'run' or 'operate' something, like a machine or a business process. For example, 'keeping the money moving' (investing/circulating capital) uses this verb to indicate active management of resources.

鍵を右に回すとドアが開きます。
(Turn the key to the right and the door will open.)

この資料を隣の人に回してください。
(Please pass this document to the person next to you.)

洗濯機を回す。
(To run the washing machine.)

In advanced contexts, 回す can also mean to delegate or transfer. If a manager 'passes' a task to a subordinate, they are effectively 'turning' the responsibility over. This highlights the verb's role in describing the flow of objects, information, and duties within a system. Understanding the nuances of 回す allows a learner to describe a wide range of everyday activities from simple mechanical actions to complex social interactions.

Using 回す correctly requires attention to its transitivity and the particles involved. As a transitive verb (他動詞 - tadoushi), it almost always takes the particle を (o) to mark the object being turned or passed. The person performing the action is marked by は (wa) or が (ga). This is the fundamental structural difference between 回す and 回る (to turn/revolve on its own).

Grammar Structure: [Subject] が [Object] を回す。
Example: 私はハンドルを回す。 (I turn the steering wheel.)
Conjugation Patterns: Dictionary: 回す (mawasu)
Polite: 回します (mawashimasu)
Te-form: 回して (mawashite)
Negative: 回さない (mawasanai)
Potential: 回せる (mawaseru)

もっと効率よくお金を回す方法を考えよう。
(Let's think of a way to circulate money more efficiently.)

When using 回す in a social setting, it often appears in the 〜ておく (~te oku) form, indicating that something is being circulated in preparation for something else. For example, 資料を回しておく (to circulate the materials beforehand). This verb is also central to compound verbs like 振り回す (furimawasu), which means to brandish or to swing something around wildly, or metaphorically, to lead someone around by the nose.

扇風機を回して部屋を涼しくする。
(Turn on the electric fan to cool the room.)

You will encounter 回す in a variety of environments, from the domestic to the professional. Its high frequency in daily life makes it a staple of Japanese conversation. In the home, it's often heard in relation to appliances. In the office, it's about the flow of information. In social gatherings, it's about sharing items or turns.

In the Kitchen & Home: 'Electronic range o mawasu' (to run the microwave) or 'Sentakuki o mawasu' (to run the washing machine). While modern machines have buttons, the legacy of 'turning a dial' remains in the language.
In the Office: 'Kairanban o mawasu' (circulating the neighborhood notice board) or 'Denwa o mawasu' (to transfer a phone call). These phrases describe the movement of information through a hierarchy or group.
In Sports and Games: 'Ball o mawasu' (to pass the ball around) in soccer or basketball. It emphasizes keeping the ball moving among teammates to find an opening.

「この書類、部長まで回しておいて。」
("Please see that this document gets passed up to the department manager.")

In media, you might hear it in detective dramas where characters 'te o mawasu' (pull strings) to influence an investigation, or in financial news regarding 'shikin o mawasu' (circulating capital). Its ubiquity stems from its ability to describe any process that involves a cycle or a sequence of hands.

The most frequent pitfall for learners is the confusion between 回す (mawasu) and 回る (mawaru). This is a classic transitive/intransitive pair (jidoshi/tadoushi) error. Using the wrong one can change the meaning from 'I turned the wheel' to 'The wheel turned itself,' which might sound strange in context.

Confusing Transitivity: Incorrect: 扇風機が回した (The fan turned [something]).
Correct: 扇風機が回った (The fan turned [itself]).
Correct: 扇風機を回した (I turned on/rotated the fan).
Misusing for 'Turning a Corner': Learners often try to use 回す when they mean to turn a corner while driving or walking. The correct verb for 'turning a corner' is 曲がる (magaru) or 曲げる (mageru). 回す implies a full rotation or a circular path, not just a change in direction.

× 角を回す (Kado o mawasu)
○ 角を曲がる (Kado o magaru)
(To turn a corner.)

Another mistake is overusing 回す for 'switching on' electronics. While it works for things that used to have dials (like washing machines or microwaves), for modern lights or computers, つける (tsukeru) or 入れる (ireru) is much more natural. Using 回す for a smartphone power button would be incorrect.

Japanese has several verbs for 'turning' or 'moving' things, and choosing the right one depends on the specific motion and the object involved. Comparing 回す with its synonyms helps clarify its unique position in the vocabulary.

回す vs. 捻る (hineru): 捻る means to twist or tweak. You 'hineru' a faucet or a small knob with your fingers. 回す is for larger, more complete rotations, like a steering wheel or a whole machine.
回す vs. 転がす (korogasu): 転がす means to roll something (like a ball or a log) along a surface. 回す is rotation around an axis, often while the object stays in one place.
回す vs. 振る (furu): 振る means to shake or wave. While you might 'furu' a hand to say goodbye, you 'mawasu' your arm to warm up for a pitch.

蛇口を捻る。
(To twist/turn the faucet.)

ボールを転がす。
(To roll the ball.)

Understanding these distinctions prevents the 'clunky' feeling that comes from using a general verb when a specific one is required. 回す is the 'king' of circular motion, but it yields to 捻る for small twists and 曲がる for changes in travel direction.

How Formal Is It?

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Transitive vs. Intransitive pairs

Causative form (~saseru)

Te-form for requests

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Exemples par niveau

かぎを回します。

I turn the key.

Direct object 'kagi' (key) + 'o' + 'mawashimasu' (polite present).

ハンドルを右に回してください。

Please turn the handle to the right.

Direction 'migi ni' (to the right) + 'mawashite kudasai' (request).

おもちゃを回す。

To spin a toy.

Dictionary form 'mawasu' used for a general action.

つまみを回して音を大きくします。

Turn the knob to make the sound louder.

Te-form 'mawashite' used to connect two actions.

びんのふたを回す。

To turn the lid of a bottle.

Simple object-verb relationship.

こまを回しましょう。

Let's spin the top.

Volitional form 'mawashimashou' (let's...).

時計の針を回す。

To turn the hands of a clock.

Physical rotation of a specific part.

これを回してごらん。

Try turning this.

'Te-goran' is a gentle imperative used with children.

このプリントを後ろに回してください。

Please pass this handout to the back.

Direction 'ushiro ni' (to the back) + 'mawashite kudasai'.

洗濯機を回している間に掃除をします。

I will clean while the washing machine is running.

'Mawashite iru' (continuous) + 'aida ni' (while).

電子レンジを２分回す。

Run the microwave for two minutes.

Duration 'ni-fun' (two minutes) + 'mawasu'.

醤油をこちらに回してもらえますか？

Could you pass the soy sauce this way?

'Te-moraemasu ka' (polite request for a favor).

扇風機を回して涼しくしましょう。

Let's turn on the fan and cool down.

Te-form used to show the means to an end.

順番にカードを回します。

We will pass the cards around in order.

Adverb 'junban ni' (in order).

地球は太陽の周りを回っている。

The Earth is revolving around the sun.

Note: This uses 'mawaru' (intransitive), often taught alongside 'mawasu' for contrast.

ハンドルを回してエンジンをかける。

Turn the handle to start the engine.

Sequential action.

会議の資料を全員に回しました。

I circulated the meeting materials to everyone.

Past tense 'mawashimashita' indicating completed circulation.

もっと効率よく仕事を回す必要があります。

We need to manage the work more efficiently.

Abstract use: 'shigoto o mawasu' (to manage/run work).

隣のクラスにこの道具を回しておいて。

Pass this tool to the next class (in advance).

'Te-oite' (do in advance/leave in a state).

彼はボールをうまく回してチャンスを作った。

He passed the ball well and created a chance.

Sports context: 'ball o mawasu'.

町内会の回覧板を隣の家に回す。

I'll pass the neighborhood notice board to the next house.

Cultural context: 'kairanban' (circulating board).

資金をうまく回して、新しい事業を始める。

Circulate the funds well and start a new business.

Economic use: 'shikin o mawasu'.

電話を田中さんに回しますので、少々お待ちください。

I will transfer the call to Mr. Tanaka, so please wait a moment.

Polite business expression for transferring a call.

腕を回して準備運動をする。

Rotate your arms to do warm-up exercises.

Body movement: 'ude o mawasu'.

裏で手を回して、計画を有利に進める。

Pull strings behind the scenes to advance the plan in our favor.

Idiom: 'te o mawasu' (to pull strings/arrange secretly).

彼は口がよく回るが、行動が伴わない。

He talks a good game, but his actions don't follow.

Idiom: 'kuchi ga mawaru' (to be glib/talkative - intransitive use).

余った予算を来期の広告費に回すことにした。

We decided to allocate the surplus budget to next term's advertising.

Abstract allocation: 'yosan o mawasu'.

扇風機を強風で回し続ける。

Keep the fan running on high speed.

Compound verb: 'mawashitsuzukeru' (keep turning).

バットを振り回すのは危ないですよ。

It's dangerous to swing a bat around.

Compound verb: 'furimawasu' (to brandish/swing).

彼は多くの部下をうまく回している。

He manages many subordinates effectively.

Management nuance: 'buka o mawasu'.

知恵を回して、この難局を乗り越えよう。

Let's use our wits to overcome this difficult situation.

Idiom: 'chie o mawasu' (to use one's brains).

その件は、後で担当者に回しておきます。

I'll pass that matter to the person in charge later.

Delegation: 'ken o mawasu'.

彼は周囲に気を回しすぎて、疲れてしまった。

He overthought things and worried too much about others, and got tired.

Idiom: 'ki o mawasu' (to overthink/be overly solicitous).

在庫を効率的に回すことで、利益率を高める。

Increase profit margins by efficiently rotating inventory.

Business term: 'zaiko o mawasu' (inventory turnover).

政界の黒幕が裏で手を回しているという噂だ。

Rumor has it that a political mastermind is pulling strings behind the scenes.

Advanced political context for 'te o mawasu'.

彼は自分の都合のいいように話を回すのがうまい。

He is good at spinning the story to suit his own convenience.

Metaphorical 'spinning' of a narrative.

限られた資源をどう回していくかが課題だ。

The challenge is how to manage and circulate limited resources.

Societal/Economic management.

旧友と酒を酌み交わしながら、昔話に花を回す。

While drinking with old friends, we let the old stories flow.

Literary/Poetic use of flow and circulation.

投資家は常に資金をどこに回すべきか考えている。

Investors are always thinking about where to allocate their capital.

Financial allocation.

その噂はあっという間に社内に回った。

That rumor spread through the company in no time.

Intransitive 'mawaru' used for rumors spreading.

国家の歯車を回すのは、名もなき官僚たちだ。

It is the nameless bureaucrats who turn the gears of the nation.

Metaphorical 'gears of state'.

彼は巧みな弁舌で、聴衆の意識を自分の意図する方向へ回した。

With skillful oratory, he turned the audience's consciousness in the direction he intended.

Psychological/Oratorical manipulation.

万物流転、宇宙の摂理が巨大な車輪を回している。

All things flow; the providence of the universe turns a giant wheel.

Philosophical/Cosmological context.

策略を巡らせ、敵の裏をかくために手を回す。

To devise strategies and pull strings to outwit the enemy.

High-level strategic terminology.

経済の循環を滞らせることなく回し続ける責務がある。

There is a responsibility to keep the economic cycle moving without stagnation.

Macroeconomic responsibility.

筆を回して、一気に論文を書き上げた。

Wielding the pen (writing fluently), I finished the thesis in one go.

Literary expression for writing flow.

彼は組織の末端まで目を回し、不正を許さない。

He keeps a watchful eye on every corner of the organization and permits no injustice.

Note: 'me o mawasu' usually means to be dizzy, but here used metaphorically for surveillance.

歴史の針を無理やり回すことはできない。

One cannot forcibly turn the hands of history.

Historical determinism metaphor.

Collocations courantes

鍵を回す (turn a key)

ハンドルを回す (turn a wheel)

洗濯機を回す (run a washing machine)

資料を回す (circulate documents)

お金を回す (circulate money)

寿司を回す (rotate sushi - as in conveyor belt)

順番を回す (pass the turn)

手を回す (pull strings)

知恵を回す (use wits)

電話を回す (transfer a call)

Phrases Courantes

順に回す (pass in order)

後ろに回す (pass to the back)

右に回す (turn right)

左に回す (turn left)

一回転回す (turn one full rotation)

仕事に回す (allocate to work)

投資に回す (allocate to investment)

コピーを回す (circulate copies)

マイクを回す (pass the mic)

皿を回す (spin a plate)

Souvent confondu avec

回す vs 回る (mawaru)

回す vs 曲がる (magaru)

回す vs 捻る (hineru)

Expressions idiomatiques

"手を回す (To make secret arrangements/pull strings)"

"知恵を回す (To use one's wits/think hard)"

"気を回す (To overthink/be suspicious)"

"口を回す (To speak fluently/glibly)"

"筆を回す (To write skillfully)"

"首を回す (To manage financially - often negative 'cannot turn')"

"目を回す (To be very busy/dizzy)"

"話を回す (To manage a conversation/spin a story)"

"小細工を回す (To use cheap tricks)"

"根回しをする (To lay the groundwork - related concept)"

Facile à confondre

回す vs

Structures de phrases

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Comment l'utiliser

social

Used for turns in games or passing items.

abstract

Used for managing money or time.

mechanical

Used for dials, wheels, and gears.

Erreurs courantes

Using 'mawasu' for turning a corner (should be 'magaru').
Using 'mawaru' when you are the one doing the turning.
Using 'mawasu' for turning on a light (should be 'tsukeru').
Confusing 'mawasu' with 'kaesu' (to return).
Misusing 'te o mawasu' in a literal sense when you just mean moving your hand.

Astuces

Transitivity Check

Always check if there is an object. If you are turning something, use 'mawasu'. If it turns itself, use 'mawaru'.

The Kairanban

In Japan, passing the 'kairanban' is a neighborly duty. Use 'mawasu' to describe this act.

Compound Verbs

Learn 'furimawasu' (swing around) to see how 'mawasu' adds a sense of circular motion to other verbs.

At the Table

Say 'shoyu o mawashite' to politely ask for the soy sauce to be passed around.

Phone Calls

When transferring a call, 'mawashimasu' is the professional standard.

The Wheel

Visualize yourself as the driver turning a wheel. You are the agent of 'mawasu'.

Kanji Practice

The kanji 回 looks like a swirl. Use this visual to remember it means rotation.

Machine Sounds

When you hear a machine start, think 'mawashite iru' (someone started it).

Wits and Minds

Idioms like 'chie o mawasu' show that 'mawasu' can apply to mental processes too.

Not for Corners

Never use 'mawasu' for walking around a corner; that's 'magaru'.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Derived from the root 'mawa-' meaning circularity, shared with 'mawaru'.

Contexte culturel

A clipboard passed between neighbors for local news.

The way a host 'turns' their attention to every detail for a guest.

The literal 'rotating sushi' experience.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"この資料、もう全員に回しましたか？ (Have you circulated this document to everyone yet?)"

"醤油をこちらに回してもらえますか？ (Could you pass the soy sauce this way?)"

"洗濯機を回してきてもいいですか？ (Is it okay if I go run the washing machine?)"

"どうやってこの資金を回しましょうか？ (How should we circulate these funds?)"

"ハンドルをどっちに回せばいいですか？ (Which way should I turn the wheel?)"

Sujets d'écriture

今日、誰かに何かを「回した」経験を書いてください。 (Write about a time you 'passed' something to someone today.)

「手を回す」必要がある状況について想像して書いてください。 (Imagine and write about a situation where you might need to 'pull strings'.)

効率よく仕事を回すためのあなたの秘訣は何ですか？ (What is your secret to managing work efficiently?)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, use 'magaru' for turning a corner. 'Mawasu' is for rotating the steering wheel itself.

Yes, it is the standard way to say 'run the washing machine' in Japanese.

It usually means a character is secretly preparing or influencing things behind the scenes.

Not directly, but it can mean to allocate money toward something, which might involve lending in a business context.

Both are used, but 'mawasu' implies the full action of turning the lock, while 'hineru' focuses on the twist.

Use 'ball o mawasu' when passing among a team, or 'passu suru' for a single pass.

Yes, 'range o mawasu' is very common for starting the microwave.

'Kaiten saseru' is more technical/formal; 'mawasu' is the everyday word.

Not necessarily; it can be any amount of rotation or just passing something along.

Yes, for taking turns: 'tsugi wa kimi ni mawasu' (I'll pass the next turn to you).

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