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Synonym Nuance VS

How to say "Be" in Japanese

Both words can translate to "be", but which should you choose?

Japanese Option A

できる

できる (dekiru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B

おる

おる (oru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus

Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference

When translating "be" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between できる and おる. In Japanese, できる (できる (dekiru)) is typically associated with "to be able to, to be completed, to be made, to be built (intransitive)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents An intransitive verb with multiple meanings: 'to be able to. On the other hand, おる (おる (oru)) maps to "to be, to exist (humble form of いる)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents 「いる」の謙譲語で、自分や身内の動作や状態を表す時に使います。目上の人に対してへりくだった表現をする際に用います。Humble form of 'iru', used to refer to one's own or one's family's actions or state. Used when speaking humbly to superiors.. A literal translation of "be" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "できる"
この家は来月にはできるでしょう。
This house will probably be completed by next month.
Bilingual Context for "おる"
私は今、東京におります。
I am in Tokyo now.

Nuance Mastery Quiz

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "この家は来月には ___ でしょう。" (Meaning: "This house will probably be completed by next month.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "できる" fits here because it means "to be able to, to be completed, to be made, to be built (intransitive)" in the context of: "This house will probably be completed by next month.". "おる" represents "to be, to exist (humble form of いる)".