Comparing "zhuan" and "guai"

Revision as of 01:29, 13 October 2021 by Lijiong (talk | contribs)

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.











A2HSK2ASV4567
拐 (guǎi) 转 (zhuǎn)
Meaningto turnto turn
Part of Speechverbverb
Formalityinformalflexible

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~
  • 左~
  • 往右~
  • 往左~
  • 向右~
  • 向左~

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
  • 转身
  • 转脸
  • 转头

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