Meaning and Usage
The verb 曲る (まがる) primarily means "to turn" or "to bend." It is commonly used when giving directions, such as telling someone to turn left or right. It can also describe physical bending or curving of objects, like branches or roads.
Common Collocations
- 右に曲がる / 左に曲がる: to turn right / left — used in directions.
- 曲がった道: a curved or bent road — describing shape.
- 角を曲がる: to turn at a corner — common phrase in navigation.
Register and Politeness
曲る is a neutral verb and can be used in both casual and polite contexts. When giving directions politely, it is often combined with ください (please).
Tips for Learners
Be careful not to confuse 曲る (to turn/bend) with 曲げる (まげる), which is the transitive form meaning "to bend something." 曲る is intransitive, so the subject itself bends or turns. For example, 木が曲がる (the tree bends) vs. 木を曲げる (to bend the tree).