翻る

• Reading: ひるがえる
• Romaji: hirugaeru
• Kanji breakdown: 翻 (hon/hiru) — flip over, flutter, translate
• Pronunciation: /çi.ɾɯ.ɡa.e.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To flutter; to wave; to turn over; to change suddenly. Describes rapid reversal or the swaying motion of fabric.

A Group 1 (godan) verb conjugated on the る stem as a ra-row verb (翻る・翻った). Used for flags, cloaks, or banners caught by the wind, and metaphorically for opinions or situations that reverse abruptly. The sudden, visible nature of the change distinguishes it from gradual shifts.

Examples

1. 強風で国旗が激しく翻った。 The national flag fluttered violently in the strong wind.
2. 裁判官の判決は前例を覆し、被告の運命が一瞬で翻った。 The judge's ruling overturned precedent, and the defendant's fate was reversed in an instant.
3. 舞台上で衣装が翻るたびに観客から歓声が上がった。 Every time the costumes swirled on stage, the audience erupted in cheers.

Usage Guide

Context: narrative, journalism, ceremony, politics

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese 翻る (hirugaeru), sharing roots with 翻す (hirugaesu, to turn over/reverse). The kanji 翻 depicts a feather over a field, suggesting the light, flipping motion of a bird's wing in flight.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated