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
売れる
うれる (ureru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "be" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between できる and 売れる.
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, 売れる (うれる (ureru)) maps to "to be sold; to sell well; to be in demand" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Intransitive verb. 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 "売れる"
この新しいスマートフォンは、とてもよく売れています。
This new smartphone is selling very well.
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.". "売れる" represents "to be sold; to sell well; to be in demand".