(まわ)

まわす
verb (godan)
to turn, to rotate
1. to turn, to rotate
To cause something to move in a circular motion.
ハンドル(まわ)す。
Turn the steering wheel.
ねじ(みぎ)(まわ)す。
Turn the screw to the right.
I turned the key and opened the door.
2. to pass around, to circulate
To send something around to multiple people or places.
Please circulate the documents.
プリント(まわ)して。
Pass the handout around.
Please circulate the documents to everyone.
3. to forward, to transfer
To redirect a call or send something to another destination.
Transfer the call to the person in charge.
I directed the customer to another window.
()()わせ営業部(えいぎょうぶ)(まわ)してください
Please forward the inquiry to the sales department.

TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive). Pair: (まわ)る (intransitive, to turn). Pattern: Xを(まわ)す (turn X).

ASPECT: ている indicates ongoing action. (まわ)している = 'is turning.'

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • ハンドルを(まわ)す (turn a handle/steering wheel)
  • ねじを(まわ)す (turn a screw)
  • 書類(しょるい)(まわ)す (circulate documents)
  • 電話(でんわ)(まわ)す (transfer a call)
  • (あたま)(まわ)す (use one's head, think hard)

CONTRAST:

  • (まわ)す (transitive): turn X
  • (まわ)る (intransitive): X turns