How to say "spin" in Japanese

• 回すまわすJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe transitive verb for making something turn, rotate, or spin: you spin a wheel, a dial, or a top with your hand. Choose this when someone or something spins an object.
  いや、それじゃだめだ。逆ぎゃくになるようにまわしてごらん。↗

  No, that's not the right way. You have to turn it the other way round.
• スピンCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe loanword noun, used for spin as a concept or technical term, as in the spin of a ball in sports or rotation in physics. It names the spin rather than describing the action with a verb.
• 紡ぐつむぐCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbSpecifically to spin fibers into yarn or thread. Unless you are talking about making yarn, this is not the word you want; its figurative uses also center on spinning thread.
  私はおばあちゃんがするのを見みてウールの紡つむぎ方かたを覚おぼえました。↗

  I learned how to spin wool from watching my grandmother.
• 繰るくるCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbIts core senses are reeling and winding; spinning thread appears only as a secondary gloss. For spinning thread, 紡ぐ is the usual choice, so this is seldom the word you want for 'spin'.
• 回るまわるJLPT N4approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbThe intransitive counterpart of 回す: something turns, rotates, revolves, or spins on its own, such as a wheel, a fan, or the earth. Choose this when the subject is the thing spinning.
  踊り手おどりてはつま先さき立たってぐるぐると回まわった。↗

  The dancer spun on his toes.

Use 「回す」 for actively turning something, 「回る」 for something spinning by itself, 「スピン」 for the loanword in sports or physics, and 「紡ぐ」 or 「繰る」 only for spinning thread or yarn.

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

• 回すまわすto turn
• スピンspin
• 紡ぐつむぐto spin
• 繰るくるto reel
• 回るまわるto turn
• 回転かいてんrotation
• ひねりtwist
• ひねくるto twirl
• きりもみtailspin
• 情報操作じょうほうそうさmanipulation of information
• 一走りひとはしり(short) run
• ひとっ走りひとっぱしり(short) run
• ツイストtwist (movement)
• 眩くくるめくto spin
• 巡らすめぐらすto turn (one's head, heel, etc.)