Meaning and Usage
The verb 裏返す (うらがえす) means "to turn something inside out" or "to flip over." It is commonly used when referring to clothes, food, or paper. When you use 裏返す, you imply physically reversing the front and back sides.
Common Contexts
- Laundry: Turning clothes inside out before washing to protect the fabric.
- Cooking: Flipping food items like pancakes or meat to cook evenly.
- Paper or documents: Turning a sheet over to write or check the other side.
Collocations and Patterns
- シャツを裏返す: to turn a shirt inside out.
- パンケーキを裏返す: to flip a pancake.
- 紙を裏返す: to turn over a piece of paper.
Register and Politeness
裏返す is a neutral verb suitable for everyday conversation and written language. It is neither formal nor casual but fits well in most contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 裏返す with simply turning something over (like flipping a page) without the nuance of inside-out. 裏返す specifically implies reversing front and back sides, not just rotating or turning sideways.