Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Admonish" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "admonish", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
たしなめる
たしなめる (tashinameru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
嗜める
たしなめる (tashinameru)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "admonish" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between たしなめる and 嗜める.
In Japanese, たしなめる (たしなめる (tashinameru)) is typically associated with "to admonish; to rebuke gently; to warn; to caution" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 相手の良くない行動を、きつくなく、やんわりと注意したり、反省を促したりする際に使う。「叱る」よりも柔らかい表現です。.
On the other hand, 嗜める (たしなめる (tashinameru)) maps to "to admonish, to reprove, to caution (gently)" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents 目上の人が目下の人に対し、欠点や誤りを指摘し、注意や忠告を与えるときに使う言葉です。比較的穏やかな注意を指します。. A literal translation of "admonish" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "たしなめる"
彼は時間厳守のルーズな態度を上司にたしなめられた。
He was gently admonished by his boss for his lax attitude towards punctuality.
Bilingual Context for "嗜める"
彼は会議中に居眠りをしたので、上司に嗜められた。
He dozed off during the meeting, so he was gently admonished by his boss.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼は時間厳守のルーズな態度を上司にたしなめられた。" (Meaning: "He was gently admonished by his boss for his lax attitude towards punctuality.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "たしなめる" fits here because it means "to admonish; to rebuke gently; to warn; to caution" in the context of: "He was gently admonished by his boss for his lax attitude towards punctuality.". "嗜める" represents "to admonish, to reprove, to caution (gently)".