🦅 Project Eagle
Synonym Comparison

The Nuance Difference: "します" vs "届く"

Master the exact conceptual boundary between these Japanese terms.

Japanese Term A

します

します (shimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Term B

届く

とどく (todoku)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus

Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

In Japanese, both します and 届く are often translated to English but have distinct usages. します (します (shimasu)) represents "to do, to make, to play (a sport)" (Level: N5) and typically represents 非常に多用途な動詞です。「〜をします」の形で、行動、スポーツ、仕事など様々な活動を表します。/ A very versatile verb. Used in the form '~をします' to express various activities, sports, or jobs.. On the other hand, 届く (とどく (todoku)) translates to "to reach, to arrive, to be delivered (intransitive)" (Level: N4) and is used for 物や情報が目的地に到着すること。また、手や声などが届くこと。自動詞。/ For an object or information to arrive at a destination. Also, for one's hand or voice to reach. Intransitive verb.. Mixing these up can sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers!
Bilingual Sentence for "します"
毎日宿題をします。
I do my homework every day.
Bilingual Sentence for "届く"
昨日、注文した本が家に届きました。
The book I ordered arrived at my house yesterday.

Nuance Mastery Quiz

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "毎日宿題を ___ 。" (Meaning: "I do my homework every day.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "します" fits here because it represents "to do, to make, to play (a sport)" in the context: "I do my homework every day.".