Synonym Comparison
The Nuance Difference: "遅れます" vs "役に立つ"
Master the exact conceptual boundary between these Japanese terms.
Japanese Term A
遅れます
おくれます (okuremasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Term B
役に立つ
やくにたつ (yaku ni tatsu)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
In Japanese, both 遅れます and 役に立つ are often translated to English but have distinct usages.
遅れます (おくれます (okuremasu)) represents "to be late, to be delayed" (Level: N5) and typically represents Verb, polite form. Used when arriving after the scheduled time or when something is behind schedule. Often used with に. The dictionary form is 遅れる.
On the other hand, 役に立つ (やくにたつ (yaku ni tatsu)) translates to "to be useful, to be helpful" (Level: N4) and is used for A set phrase meaning to be useful or helpful for someone or something. It describes the utility of an object, skill, or person. Often followed by the particle に. Mixing these up can sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers!
Bilingual Sentence for "遅れます"
電車が遅れて、会社に遅れました。
The train was delayed, so I was late for work.
Bilingual Sentence for "役に立つ"
この辞書は日本語の勉強に役に立ちます。
This dictionary is useful for studying Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "電車が遅れて、会社に遅れました。" (Meaning: "The train was delayed, so I was late for work.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "遅れます" fits here because it represents "to be late, to be delayed" in the context: "The train was delayed, so I was late for work.".