Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Be" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "be", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
決まる
きまる (kimaru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
欠席する
けっせきする (kesseki suru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "be" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 決まる and 欠席する.
In Japanese, 決まる (きまる (kimaru)) is typically associated with "to be decided, to be fixed (intransitive)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Indicates that a decision has been made or something has been settled, often by itself or by someone else, but the focus is on the state of being decided..
On the other hand, 欠席する (けっせきする (kesseki suru)) maps to "to be absent (from a meeting, class, etc.)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents 「出席する」の反対の意味で、会議や授業、イベントなどに「いない」ことを指します。これもフォーマルな場面で使われます。The opposite of "出席する," meaning to be absent from a meeting, class, or event. Also used in formal contexts.. A literal translation of "be" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "決まる"
来月の旅行の日程が決まりました。
The itinerary for next month's trip has been decided.
Bilingual Context for "欠席する"
熱があったので、学校を欠席しました。
I was absent from school because I had a fever.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "来月の旅行の日程が決まりました。" (Meaning: "The itinerary for next month's trip has been decided.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "決まる" fits here because it means "to be decided, to be fixed (intransitive)" in the context of: "The itinerary for next month's trip has been decided.". "欠席する" represents "to be absent (from a meeting, class, etc.)".