Pronunciation Trap: "かならず (kanarazu)"

In Japanese, many words share the exact same pronunciation "かならず (kanarazu)" but are written with different Kanji, changing the meaning entirely.

• 必ず (Level: N4): Translates to "surely, without fail, certainly" and is used when Adverb. Expresses certainty, strong obligation, or an unchangeable intention. Often used with a volitional or imperative expression..
• かならず (Level: N3): Maps to "certainly, without fail, absolutely" and carries the nuance of This adverb emphasizes a strong certainty or necessity. It means something will definitely happen or must be done. It often accompanies verbs expressing obligation or strong intention, and sometimes appears with negative forms to mean "never fail to"..

Mixing these up can easily result in unnatural writing. Look at the bilingual context cards below to master the conceptual boundaries!