How to say "about-face" in Japanese

• 転向てんこうCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers an about-face in one's stance, opinion, or allegiance: a deliberate turn toward a new position, as when a person or group switches sides or abandons a former policy.
  コンピューターの仕事しごとから金融きんゆう、会計かいけいなどの仕事しごとに転向てんこうすることは可能かのうである。↗

  It's possible to branch out from computing to jobs in banking, accountancy and so on.
• 一変いっぺんJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbEmphasizes that something changes completely and at once: a situation, atmosphere, or attitude is transformed wholesale, and the point is the completeness of the change.
  夫妻ふさいは化学かがくを近代きんだい科学かがくへと一変いっぺんさせた。↗

  The couple transformed chemistry into a modern science.
• 一転いってんCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verb, adverbDescribes a sudden reversal or transformation: a situation or course of events turns abruptly in a new direction, so it fits an about-face that happens suddenly.

Choose 転向 for a deliberate about-face in stance, opinion, or policy; 一変 when something changes completely and at once; and 一転 for a sudden reversal in the course of events.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 転向てんこうconversion
• 一変いっぺんcomplete change
• 手のひら返してのひらがえしsudden reversal (of behavior, opinion, attitude, etc.)
• 一転いってんcomplete change