翻す

• Reading: ひるがえす
• Romaji: hirugaesu
• Kanji breakdown: 翻 (hon/hirugae) — flutter, reverse, recant
• Pronunciation: /hi.ɾɯ.ɡa.e.sɯ/

Meaning

To reverse; to overturn; to recant; to wave or flutter. Has both physical and figurative meanings.

A Group 1 (godan) verb with two main clusters. Physically, describes a flag or garment fluttering and reversing in the wind. Figuratively — and more importantly at N1 level — describes reversing or retracting a previously firm position: 証言を翻す (to recant testimony), 判決を翻す (to overturn a ruling), 決意を翻す (to reverse one's decision). The figurative use implies a dramatic, often surprising reversal.

Examples

1. 証人は裁判直前に証言を翻し、弁護側を有利にした。 The witness recanted their testimony just before the trial, giving the defense an advantage.
2. 強風に旗がひらひらと翻っていた。 Flags were fluttering in the strong wind.
3. 長年の信念を翻すことは容易ではなかったが、新たな証拠が彼を変えた。 Reversing a long-held belief was not easy, but new evidence changed his mind.

Usage Guide

Context: law, politics, literature, weather

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Related to 翻る (hirugaeru, to flutter/turn over), both deriving from a root meaning reversal or turning. The kanji 翻 depicts wings in motion — capturing both the physical flutter of cloth in wind and the metaphorical reversal of a firmly held position.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal