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
労わる
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！』.
- 労わる (Level: N2): Maps to "to be kind to; to sympathize with; to console" and carries the nuance of 弱い立場の人や疲れている人に対して、「思いやりを持って優しく接する」ことを意味します。It means to treat someone in a vulnerable position or someone who is tired with kindness and compassion..
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 "労わる"
彼女は病気の子供を優しく労わった。
She kindly cared for her sick child.
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.".