Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "As" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "as", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
やっぱり
やっぱり (yappari)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
努めて
つとめて (tsutomete)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "as" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between やっぱり and 努めて.
In Japanese, やっぱり (やっぱり (yappari)) is typically associated with "as expected, after all, just as I thought" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Casual form of やはり. Used to express that something turned out to be as one expected, or to reconfirm something. It can also mean 'after all' in the sense of making a final decision or preference..
On the other hand, 努めて (つとめて (tsutomete)) maps to "as much as possible; as diligently as possible; to try hard (adverbial)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 「できる限り」「一生懸命に」といった意味で、ある行動を意識的に努力して行う様子を表す副詞です。/ An adverb meaning 'as much as possible' or 'diligently,' describing the act of consciously making an effort to perform an action.. A literal translation of "as" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "やっぱり"
雨が降ってきた。やっぱり傘を持ってくればよかった。
It started raining. I should have brought an umbrella after all.
Bilingual Context for "努めて"
彼は努めて冷静を装っていたが、内心は焦っていた。
He tried his best to appear calm, but inwardly he was panicking.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "雨が降ってきた。 ＿＿＿ 傘を持ってくればよかった。" (Meaning: "It started raining. I should have brought an umbrella after all.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "やっぱり" fits here because it means "as expected, after all, just as I thought" in the context of: "It started raining. I should have brought an umbrella after all.". "努めて" represents "as much as possible; as diligently as possible; to try hard (adverbial)".