Comparing "zhuan" and "guai"
拐 and 转 both are verbs that mean to turn and oftentimes can be used interchangeably. 转 is used in used in informal/formal situations, whereas 拐 is used in informal situations. A key difference between these two is 转 is often used to say “turn” when driving a car on city streets or highways, while 拐 is often used to say “turn” when walking or riding a bike on narrow streets or small paths.
| 拐 (guǎi) | 转 (zhuǎn) | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | to turn | to turn |
| Part of Speech | verb | verb |
| Formality | informal | flexible |
Contents
To say to turn oftentimes both 拐 and 转 can be used interchangeably.
Common Phrases
In the following examples both 拐 and 转 can be used.
- 右 转 / 拐turn right
- 左 转 / 拐turn left
- 往 右 转 / 拐to the right turn
- 往 左 转 / 拐to the left turn
- 向 右 转 / 拐to the right turn
- 向 左 转 / 拐to the left turn
Example Sentences
- 你 在 前 面 右 拐 就 到 了。You are just ahead on the right.
- 请 一直 走，然后 向 左 转。Please keep going and turn left.
- 这里 只 可以 右 拐，不 可以 左 拐。You can only turn right here, not left.
To say to turn in the sense of to shift or change the body’s position use 转
Common Phrases
In the following examples only 转 can be used.
- 向 后 转turn backwards
- 转 身turn around
- 转 脸turn your face
- 转 头turn your head
Example Sentences
- 例句
To say “a good turn” as in a change for the better use 转.
Common Phrases
In the following examples only 转 can be used.
- 好 转good turn
Example Sentences
- 从 今年 一月份 开始 中国 的 经济 开始 好 转 了。Since January this year China's economy has started to improve.
- 最近 疫情 还是 很 严重，上海 的 情况 一直 没有 好 转。Recently the epidemic is still very serious and the situation in Shanghai has not improved.
Sources and further reading
Websites
"拐" 和 "转" 和有什么不一样? | HiNative https://zh.hinative.com/questions/18055423
