Translation and Meaning of: 転がす - korogasu

If you are studying Japanese or simply curious about the language, you may have come across the word 転がす (ころがす). It can appear in everyday dialogues, animes, or even in songs. But what exactly does this word mean? How is it used by Japanese people in their daily lives? In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and contexts of use of 転がす, as well as tips for memorizing it efficiently.

Meaning and usage of 転がす

転がす is a Japanese verb that means "to roll," "to make something spin," or "to knock down." It is often used to describe physical actions, like rolling a ball or pushing an object until it falls. For example, if someone knocks a bottle to the ground, one can say that the person 転がした (korogashita) the bottle.

In addition to its literal meaning, 転がす can also have a more figurative use. In some situations, it can convey the idea of "letting something happen" or "letting things take their course." This dual meaning makes the word versatile and useful in different contexts.

Origin and writing in kanji

The word 転がす is written with the kanji 転, which means "to roll" or "to change." This character is composed of the radical 車 (kuruma, "car") and the component 云 (un, which suggests movement). Together, they reinforce the idea of something that moves or rolls, like a car wheel spinning.

It is worth noting that 転がす is a group 1 (godan) verb, which means its conjugation follows a specific pattern. If you are learning Japanese, it is helpful to memorize this grammatical class to use it correctly in sentences.

Tips for memorizing 転がす

An effective way to the meaning of 転がす is to associate it with everyday actions. Imagine a ball rolling on the floor or a coin spinning on a table. These images help to solidify the main meaning of the verb.

Another tip is to practice with simple sentences, such as "ボールを転がす" (bōru o korogasu – "roll the ball"). Repeating real examples in various contexts makes it easier to internalize the word. If you use apps like Anki, creating flashcards with images and sentences can be a great strategy.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 転がす

• 転がす transitive verb
• 転がします Polite way
• 転がせます Potential Form
• 転がさない negative form
• 転がさずに negative form - Continuative form
• 転がすなよ imperative

Synonyms and similar words

• 転がる (korogaru) - Roll; to move by rolling.
• 転がり落ちる (korobari ochiru) - Fall rolling; descend in rotation.
• 転がして動かす (korogashite ugokasu) - To roll; to move something by making it roll.
• 転がすように進む (korogasu you ni susumu) - Advance by rolling; progress as if you were rolling.
• 巻き込む (makikomu) - To wrap; to make something rotate around another thing.
• 押しやる (oshi yaru) - Push away; to force something to move, usually in a direction.