Comparing "zhuan" and "guai"

拐 (guǎi) and 转 (zhuǎn) both are verbs that mean "to turn" and oftentimes can be used interchangeably. 转 is used in used in both informal and formal situations, whereas 拐 is used only in informal situations, more common in certain regions like Shanghai. We focus here on “to turn” when driving a car, walking, or giving directions.

B1HSK5ASV4567

	拐 (guǎi)	转 (zhuǎn)
Meaning	to turn	to turn
Part of Speech	verb	verb
Formality	informal	flexible

:Yes

Both 拐 and 转 can be used for "to turn" in directions

Common Phrases

In the following examples both 拐 and 转 can be used. Remember that 拐 is informal and not commonly used everywhere in China.

• 右 转 / 拐yòu zhuǎn / guǎito turn right
• 左 转 / 拐zuǒ zhuǎn / guǎito turn left
• 往 右 转 / 拐wǎng yòu zhuǎn / guǎito turn to the right
• 往 左 转 / 拐wǎng zuǒ zhuǎn / guǎito turn to the left
• 向 右 转 / 拐xiàng yòu zhuǎn / guǎito turn to the right
• 向 左 转 / 拐xiàng zuǒ zhuǎn / guǎito turn to the left

Example Sentences

• 你 在 前面 右 拐 就 到 了。Nǐ zài qiánmiàn yòu guǎi jiù dào le.Turn right up ahead and you're there.
• 请 一直 走，然后 向 左 转。Qǐng yīzhí zǒu, ránhòu xiàng zuǒ zhuǎn.Please go straight and then turn to the left.
• 这里 只 可以 右 拐，不 可以 左 拐。Zhèlǐ zhǐ kěyǐ yòu guǎi，bù kěyǐ zuǒ guǎi.You can only turn right here, not left.
• 到 了 前面 的 十字路口 往 右 转。Dào le qiánmiàn de shízìlùkǒu wǎng yòu zhuǎn.When you reach the intersection ahead turn right.

Use 转 for shifts or changes the body’s position

Common Phrases

In the following examples only 转 can be used.

• 向 后 转xiàng hòu zhuǎnturn around (facing backwards)
• 转 身zhuǎn shēnturn (one's whole body) around
• 转 脸zhuǎn liǎnturn one's face
• 转 头zhuǎn tóuturn one's head

Example Sentences

• 请 你 现在 向 后 转，你 就 可以 看 到 我 了。Qǐng nǐ xiànzài xiàng hòu zhuǎn, nǐ jiù kěyǐ kàn dào wǒ le.Please turn backwards now so you can see me.
• 我 刚 转 身，他 就 不见 了。Wǒ gāng zhuǎn shēn, tā jiù bùjiàn le.I just turned around and he was gone.
• 她 说 完 这句 话 以后 就 转 脸 向 窗 外 看。Tā shuō wán zhèjù huà yǐhòu jiù zhuǎn liǎn xiàng chuāng wài kàn.She turned her face to look out of the window after she had said this.
• 请 你 转 一下 头，否则 我 看 不到 你 的 脸。Qǐng nǐ zhuǎn yīxià tóu, fǒuzé wǒ kàn bùdào nǐ de liǎn.Please turn your head, otherwise I can't see your face.

Sources and further reading

Websites

"拐" 和 "转" 和有什么不一样? | HiNative https://zh.hinative.com/questions/18055423