Kanji Homophone Battle
Pronunciation Trap: "よぶ (yobu)"
Same sound, completely different Kanji! Choose the right conceptual writing.
Kanji Option A
呼ぶ
よぶ (yobu)
N5 / CEFR
VS
Kanji Option B
よぶ
よぶ (yobu)
N4 / CEFR
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
In Japanese, many words share the exact same pronunciation "よぶ (yobu)" but are written with different Kanji, changing the meaning entirely.
- 呼ぶ (Level: N5): Translates to "to call, to invite" and is used when Transitive verb. Can mean to call someone's name, call for a taxi, or invite someone. Polite form is 呼びます.
- よぶ (Level: N4): Maps to "to call; to invite" and carries the nuance of 人や動物に声をかけて来させること、または特定の場所に集まるように働きかけること。電話をかける、医者などを呼ぶ、パーティーに誘うなど、幅広く使われます。To make a person or animal come by calling out to them, or to encourage them to gather at a specific place. Used broadly for calling on the phone, calling a doctor, inviting to a party, etc..
Bilingual Context for "呼ぶ"
友達をパーティーに呼びました。
I invited my friend to the party.
Bilingual Context for "よぶ"
友達を家に呼んでパーティーをしました。
I invited friends to my house and had a party.
Kanji Selection Quiz
Which Kanji perfectly fits this blank space?
Which Kanji perfectly fits the blank: "友達をパーティーに呼びました。" (Meaning: "I invited my friend to the party.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Correct! "呼ぶ" is used for "to call, to invite" in the context: "I invited my friend to the party.".