turn · times

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 回 is associated with turning or going through a sequence. Its on-reading is かい; the verbs here are read まわる and まわす.
• Basic usage: 回る means to turn, while 回す means to turn something. 風車が回る describes a pinwheel turning, and 取っ手を回す describes turning a handle.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Making the rounds and passing something on
  • 三つの売り場を回りました means that someone went around three sales sections. 回る is used for visiting several places in turn.
  • 資料を隣の人に回した means that someone passed the materials to the person beside them. Here, 回す describes passing something on rather than rotating it.