旋转

• Pinyin: xuán zhuǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 旋 = 方 (direction) + 疋 (foot), suggesting circular movement; 转 = 车 (wheel) + 专 (single), meaning to turn

Meaning

To rotate; to spin; to revolve. Circular movement around an axis or center.

Describes any circular motion: a spinning top, a revolving door, a planet's rotation. Both transitive and intransitive. Related: 转动 (to turn), 旋转门 (revolving door), 自转 (rotation on axis), 公转 (revolution around another body). Also used metaphorically for changing situations.

Examples

1. 地球绕着太阳旋转，同时也在自转。 The Earth revolves around the Sun while also rotating on its axis.
2. 她在冰面上优雅地旋转了三圈。 She gracefully spun three times on the ice.
3. 这扇旋转门坏了，请走旁边的通道。 This revolving door is broken; please use the passage on the side.

Usage Guide

Context: physics, dance, mechanical, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 旋转九十度。(Rotate ninety degrees.)
• 它在不停地旋转。(It keeps spinning.)

Don't Say

• 旋转你的头 — 转头多用'转头'或'扭头'，'旋转头'不自然，旋转多用于物体或整体动作

Origin & History

Compound of 旋 (to revolve, return) + 转 (to turn, rotate). Both characters relate to circular movement, creating emphasis.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal