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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

間に合う

まにあう (maniau)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B

決まる

きまる (kimaru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus

Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference

When translating "be" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 間に合う and 決まる. In Japanese, 間に合う (まにあう (maniau)) is typically associated with "to be on time, to make it in time" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Intransitive verb. Used to express arriving at a place or completing something by a specific time. Often used with the particle 'に'.. On the other hand, 決まる (きまる (kimaru)) maps to "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.. A literal translation of "be" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "間に合う"
電車に間に合うように急ぎました。
I hurried to make it on time for the train.
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.

Nuance Mastery Quiz

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "電車に ___ ように急ぎました。" (Meaning: "I hurried to make it on time for the train.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "間に合う" fits here because it means "to be on time, to make it in time" in the context of: "I hurried to make it on time for the train.". "決まる" represents "to be decided, to be fixed (intransitive)".