Tenohira wo Kaesu (手のひらを返す - Turning a 180)

May 27, 2019 20:10
Tenohira wo Kaesu

I often find people who do an act called 'tenohira wo kaesu' (手のひらを返す).

Since 'tenohira' (手のひら/掌) means "palm" and 'kaesu' (返す) means "to turn something over," the literal meaning of 'tenohira wo kaesu' is "to turn over one's palm."

Actually, this idiom means to make a 180-degree turn in attitude or wording because of some events.

Originally, it was used to mean that something is easy to change, but later, this came to be used to indicate human's behavior.
手のひらを返す

私はインターネット上で、よく「手のひらを返す」人を見かけます。

「手のひら」は "palm"、「返す」は "to turn something over" を意味するので、「手のひらを返す」の文字どおりの意味は "to turn one's palm over" となります。

実際には、何かをきっかけに態度や言葉遣いががらりと変わることを意味します。

もともとは「物事が容易に変化すること」を意味する言葉でしたが、これが人間の態度などに使われるようになったというわけです。
No. 1 sjstrauss's correction
  • Tenohira wo Kaesu (手のひらを返す - Turning a 180)
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Tenohira wo Kaesu
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • I often find people who do an act called 'tenohira wo kaesu' (手のひらを返す).
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Since 'tenohira' (手のひら/掌) means "palm" and 'kaesu' (返す) means "to turn something over," the literal meaning of 'tenohira wo kaesu' is "to turn over one's palm."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Actually, this idiom means to make a 180-degree turn in attitude or wording because of some events.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Originally, it was used to mean that something is easy to change, but later, this came to be used to indicate human's behavior.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
Interesting, and a fitting phrase.
sjstrauss
To describe the 180, I mean :) .
Toru
Thank you so much for reading my post! :)
No. 2 Judy's correction
  • Tenohira wo Kaesu
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • I often find people who do an act called 'tenohira wo kaesu' (手のひらを返す).
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Since 'tenohira' (手のひら/掌) means "palm" and 'kaesu' (返す) means "to turn something over," the literal meaning of 'tenohira wo kaesu' is "to turn over one's palm."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Actually, this idiom means to make a 180-degree turn in attitude or wording because of some events.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Originally, it was used to mean that something is easy to change, but later, this came to be used to indicate human's behavior.
  • Originally, it was used to mean that something is easy to change, but later, this came to be used to indicate human's behavior.
     human behavior
Toru
Thank you so much for the correction! :)
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