Kanji Homophone Battle
Pronunciation Trap: "かすめる (kasumeru)"
Same sound, completely different Kanji! Choose the right conceptual writing.
Kanji Option A
かすめる
かすめる (kasumeru)
N2 / CEFR
VS
Kanji Option B
掠る
かすめる (kasumeru)
N2 / CEFR
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
In Japanese, many words share the exact same pronunciation "かすめる (kasumeru)" but are written with different Kanji, changing the meaning entirely.
- かすめる (Level: N2): Translates to "to graze, to brush past, to skim" and is used when Often used when something passes very close to something else, sometimes touching it lightly. Can also mean to steal.
- 掠る (Level: N2): Maps to "to graze, to brush past, to skim, to steal (money, often quickly)" and carries the nuance of Primarily means to touch lightly while passing, or to take a small amount of money or something quickly and stealthily..
Bilingual Context for "かすめる"
ボールは彼の頭をかすめていった。
The ball grazed his head.
Bilingual Context for "掠る"
飛んできたボールが彼の肩をかすめた。
The flying ball grazed his shoulder.
Kanji Selection Quiz
Which Kanji perfectly fits this blank space?
Which Kanji perfectly fits the blank: "ボールは彼の頭をかすめていった。" (Meaning: "The ball grazed his head.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Correct! "かすめる" is used for "to graze, to brush past, to skim" in the context: "The ball grazed his head.".