Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Borrow" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "borrow", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
かります
かります (karimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
かりる
かりる (kariru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "borrow" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between かります and かりる.
In Japanese, かります (かります (karimasu)) is typically associated with "to borrow" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents The polite form of 借りる.
On the other hand, かりる (かりる (kariru)) maps to "to borrow" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Used when you temporarily receive and use something from another person.. A literal translation of "borrow" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "かります"
図書館で本をかります。
I borrow books from the library.
Bilingual Context for "かりる"
図書館で本を借りました。
I borrowed a book from the library.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "図書館で本を ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I borrow books from the library.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "かります" fits here because it means "to borrow" in the context of: "I borrow books from the library.". "かりる" represents "to borrow".