1.
to turn around; to turn one's head
To physically turn to face another direction, especially behind oneself.
誰かが振り向いた。
Someone turned around.
後ろから声をかけられて振り向いた。
Someone called out from behind me and I turned around.
彼女は振り向きもせずに歩いて行った。
She walked away without even looking back.
急に肩をたたかれて振り向くと、友人が立っていた。
When I was suddenly tapped on the shoulder and turned around, my friend was standing there.
道を歩いていたら後ろから名前を呼ばれたので振り向くと、昔の同級生だった。
While walking down the street, I heard my name called from behind, and when I turned around, it was an old classmate.
2.
to pay attention to; to take notice of
To show interest in someone or something, often used in the negative.
彼は振り向いてくれない。
He won't pay attention to me.
いくらアピールしても、彼は振り向いてくれない。
No matter how much I try to get his attention, he won't give me a second glance.
誰も振り向かないような地味な存在だった。
I was such a plain presence that nobody took notice of me.
彼女は美しくて、道を歩くと誰もが振り向く。
She is so beautiful that everyone turns to look at her when she walks down the street.
何年も片思いをしていたが、彼は一度も振り向いてくれなかった。
I had a one-sided crush for years, but he never once showed any interest in me.
振り向く is an intransitive verb (自動詞) formed from 振る (to swing) + 向く (to face). It primarily describes the physical action of turning around.
ASPECT (ている):
振り向いている indicates someone has turned around and is facing that direction.
PARTICLE PATTERNS:
- [direction]を振り向く — to turn toward [direction]
- [person]が振り向く — [person] turns around
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 後ろを振り向く (turn to look behind)
- 振り向きもしない (doesn't even turn around; ignores completely)
- 振り向いてくれない (won't pay attention to me)
IDIOMATIC USAGE:
振り向いてくれない in romantic contexts means someone won't show interest or return one's feelings.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 振り返る: to look back (physical + figurative reflection)
- 振り向く: only physical turning