🦅 Project Eagle
Kanji Homophone Battle

Pronunciation Trap: "そそのかす (sosonokasu)"

Same sound, completely different Kanji! Choose the right conceptual writing.

Kanji Option A

唆す

そそのかす (sosonokasu)
N2 / CEFR
VS
Kanji Option B

唆る

そそのかす (sosonokasu)
N2 / CEFR

Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference

In Japanese, many words share the exact same pronunciation "そそのかす (sosonokasu)" but are written with different Kanji, changing the meaning entirely.
  • 唆す (Level: N2): Translates to "to tempt, to instigate, to entice, to incite, to egg on" and is used when Often used negatively, implying urging someone to do something wrong, mischievous, or illegal, by appealing to their desires or weaknesses..
  • 唆る (Level: N2): Maps to "to tempt, to instigate, to incite, to lure" and carries the nuance of 主に、よくないことや危険なことをするように、人に勧める、誘いかけるという意味で使われます。必ずしも悪い意味だけではありませんが、多くはネガティブな文脈です。.
Mixing these up can easily result in unnatural writing. Look at the bilingual context cards below to master the conceptual boundaries!
Bilingual Context for "唆す"
友人を唆して悪事を働かせた。
He instigated his friend to commit a misdeed.
Bilingual Context for "唆る"
彼は友人を唆して、万引きをさせた。
He instigated his friend to shoplift.

Kanji Selection Quiz

Which Kanji perfectly fits this blank space?

Which Kanji perfectly fits the blank: "友人を唆して悪事を働かせた。" (Meaning: "He instigated his friend to commit a misdeed.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Correct! "唆す" is used for "to tempt, to instigate, to entice, to incite, to egg on" in the context: "He instigated his friend to commit a misdeed.".

💡 Practice with AI! Live

Don't just read. Practice speaking this grammar with our interactive AI coach for free!

Try AI Speaking 👉