Kanji Homophone Battle
Pronunciation Trap: "いたわる (itawaru)"
Same sound, completely different Kanji! Choose the right conceptual writing.
Kanji Option A
いたわる
いたわる (itawaru)
N3 / CEFR
VS
Kanji Option B
労る
いたわる (itawaru)
N2 / CEFR
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
In Japanese, many words share the exact same pronunciation "いたわる (itawaru)" but are written with different Kanji, changing the meaning entirely.
- いたわる (Level: N3): Translates to "care for; show sympathy; be kind to (tired/weak); console" and is used when Refers to caring for, showing sympathy, or being extremely kind to someone who is tired, weak, elderly, or working hard. Often written as 労わる. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Compassion? Caring? Caring for a tired subordinate is the highest duty of a beautiful, capable manager! So eat this homemade hot soup I made for you and rest!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『労わるのは上司（妻候補）として当然の義務よ！はい、残業でクタクタのあんたのために私が作った、具だくさんの熱いスープ！冷めないうちに食べて元気出しなさい！』.
- 労る (Level: N2): Maps to "to care for; to be kind to; to console (someone weak or suffering)" and carries the nuance of To show kindness, sympathy, and care, especially towards those who are tired, old, sick, or in a vulnerable state. It's about tenderly looking after someone..
Bilingual Context for "いたわる"
お互いの労苦を_______合うことで、チームの結束力はさらに高まっていきます。
By caring for and appreciating each other's hard work, the team's solidarity will rise even further.
Bilingual Context for "労る"
病気の母を労る気持ちで接した。
I treated my sick mother with a caring heart.
Kanji Selection Quiz
Which Kanji perfectly fits this blank space?
Which Kanji perfectly fits the blank: "お互いの労苦を_______合うことで、チームの結束力はさらに高まっていきます。" (Meaning: "By caring for and appreciating each other's hard work, the team's solidarity will rise even further.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Correct! "いたわる" is used for "care for; show sympathy; be kind to (tired/weak); console" in the context: "By caring for and appreciating each other's hard work, the team's solidarity will rise even further.".