turn
gb/tˈɚn/ us/tˈɚn/
A1
English
~ 1100
forog, fordít, forgat, fordul, kanyarodik, lesz, válik, változtat, sor, felváltva, kanyar, irányváltás, leágazás
VERB
A1
1
Usage pattern:
to turn [something]
She turned the key in the lock.
Elfordította a kulcsot a zárban.
The earth turns on its axis.
A Föld a saját tengelye körül forog.
Turn the handle to open the door.
He turned his head to look at her.
Learner examples
Turn the chair to face me.
Fordítsd felém a széket.
Please turn the page.
Kérlek, lapozz egyet.
The car turned left.
I turn my head to see you.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'turn' with 'spin'; 'spin' is faster and continuous, while 'turn' can be slower or partial.
Meaning
Rotate around a point or axis
Collocations
turn the wheel
|turn left
|turn the page
|turn a knob
Synonyms
rotate (More formal and technical; often used in scientific contexts.)
Antonyms
stay still (Means not moving or rotating at all.)
Themes
daily life
|movement
|core_vocabulary
|science
Definition
To move in a circle or make something move in a circle.
To move or cause something to move around a central point or axis.
VERB
A1
2
fordul
A2
kanyarodik
B1
Usage pattern:
to turn [left/right/around]
Turn left at the traffic lights.
A közlekedési lámpánál fordulj balra.
The road turns sharply after the bridge.
Az út a híd után élesen kanyarodik.
She turned around to see who called her.
Learner examples
Turn right at the school.
Az iskolánál fordulj jobbra.
The bus turns here.
Itt kanyarodik a busz.
He turns around to wave.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say 'make a turn' when giving simple directions; 'turn' alone is usually enough.
Meaning
Change direction or course
Collocations
turn right
|turn left
|turn around
Synonyms
veer (Implies a more sudden or uncontrolled change of direction.)
Antonyms
continue straight (Means to keep going without changing direction.)
Themes
travel
|movement
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To go in a different direction.
To move in a different direction from your current path.
VERB
A2
3
Usage pattern:
to turn [adjective/noun]
The leaves turn yellow in autumn.
Ősszel megsárgulnak a levelek.
His face turned pale when he heard the news.
Elsápadt az arca, amikor meghallotta a hírt.
Milk turns sour if left out too long.
Learner examples
The sky turns dark at night.
Éjszaka sötét lesz az ég.
Water turns into ice when it is cold.
Ha hideg van, a vízből jég lesz.
Her face turns red when she runs.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'turn' with 'become'; 'turn' is often used for more sudden or noticeable changes.
Meaning
Change into a different state
Collocations
turn red
|turn cold
|turn into
Synonyms
become ('Become' is more formal and general; 'turn' is often used for sudden or visible changes.)
Antonyms
remain (Means staying in the same state without change.)
Themes
change
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To become different, or make something different.
To become something different, or to make something become different in form, quality, or nature.
NOUN
A2
4
It's your turn to roll the dice.
Rajtad a sor, dobhatsz a kockával.
We take turns cooking dinner.
Felváltva főzzük a vacsorát.
Please wait your turn in line.
Learner examples
It is my turn now.
Most rajtam a sor.
We take turns to speak.
Felváltva beszélünk.
She waits for her turn.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'turn' with 'round'; 'round' is more common in British English for games.
Meaning
Chance to act in order
Collocations
take turns
|your turn
|wait your turn
Synonyms
chance ('Chance' is broader and not necessarily sequential.)
Antonyms
interruption (Breaking the sequence so someone doesn't get their chance.)
Themes
games
|social interaction
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Definition
Your time to do something when people take turns.
An opportunity to do something as part of a sequence involving other people.
NOUN
B1
5
The car made a sudden turn to avoid the dog.
Az autó hirtelen irányt váltott, hogy kikerülje a kutyát.
Take the next turn on your left.
A következő lehetőségnél fordulj balra.
There was an unexpected turn in the conversation.
Learner examples
The road has many turns.
Sok kanyar van az úton.
Take the first turn on the right.
Az első lehetőségnél fordulj jobbra.
The talk took a happy turn.
Meaning
Change in direction or state
Collocations
sharp turn
|wrong turn
|take a turn
Synonyms
bend ('Bend' usually refers to physical curves; 'turn' can be physical or abstract.)
Antonyms
straight path (A route without changes in direction.)
Themes
travel
|change
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A move to go in another way, or a change in something.
A movement that changes direction, or a point where such a change happens.
Grammar
Dictionary form
turn
IPA
GB/tˈɚn/
US/tˈɚn/
Syllables & stress
turn (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (turn)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: turn
- Plural: turns
Verb
- Base: turn
- 3rd Person Singular: turns
- Present Participle: turning
- Past: turned
Word family
Expressions
take turns
1/tˈeɪk tˈɚnz/
fixed phrase
Alternate doing something with others
When people do something one after another, not at the same time.
Examples
- We take turns driving on long trips.
- The children took turns using the swing.
turn on
1/tˈɚn ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
Switch on a device or system
To start a machine, light, or device working.
Examples
- Please turn on the TV.
- He turned on the light when it got dark.
turn up
1/tˈɚn ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Increase level of device output
To make sound, heat, etc. stronger from a machine or device.
Examples
- Can you turn up the music?
- He turned up the heat because it was cold.
turn down
1/tˈɚn dˈaʊn/
phrasal verb
Lower level of device output / refuse offer
To make sound, heat, etc. less strong from a machine OR to say no to an offer.
Examples
- I had to turn down their invitation.
- Please turn down the volume.
- She turned down the job offer.
- She turned down his invitation.
turn off
1/tˈɚn ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
Switch off a device or system
To stop a machine, light, or device from working.
Examples
- Please turn off the lights when you leave.
- Turn off the oven before leaving.
- He turned off the engine before getting out.
- She turned off her phone during the meeting.