What is the difference between "直す" and "治す"?

"直す" means "to fix, to repair; to correct" (N4), whereas "治す" represents "to cure, to fix, to heal (transitive)" (N4).

Kanji Homophone Battle

Pronunciation Trap: "なおす (naosu)"

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

Kanji Option A

なおす (naosu)

N4 / CEFR

Kanji Option B

なおす (naosu)

N4 / CEFR

In Japanese, many words share the exact same pronunciation "なおす (naosu)" but are written with different Kanji, changing the meaning entirely.

直す (Level: N4): Translates to "to fix, to repair; to correct" and is used when Transitive verb. Used for repairing broken items, correcting mistakes, or changing something to a proper state. 悪い状態を良い状態に戻す。.
治す (Level: N4): Maps to "to cure, to fix, to heal (transitive)" and carries the nuance of Used for repairing objects, curing illnesses, or fixing mistakes. It is a transitive verb. For illnesses/injuries, 治す is used. For physical objects, 治す or 直す can be used, with 直す being more common for mechanical repairs..

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

Bilingual Context for "直す"

壊れた自転車を自分で直しました。

I fixed the broken bicycle myself.

Bilingual Context for "治す"

医者が患者の病気を治します。

The doctor cures the patient's illness.

Which Kanji perfectly fits this blank space?

Which Kanji perfectly fits the blank: "壊れた自転車を自分で直しました。" (Meaning: "I fixed the broken bicycle myself.")

🎉 Correct Answer!

Correct! "直す" is used for "to fix, to repair; to correct" in the context: "I fixed the broken bicycle myself.".