Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Drive" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "drive", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
運転する
うんてんする (unten suru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
駆り立てる
かりたてる (karitateru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "drive" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 運転する and 駆り立てる.
In Japanese, 運転する (うんてんする (unten suru)) is typically associated with "to drive" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents A する verb.
On the other hand, 駆り立てる (かりたてる (karitateru)) maps to "to drive, to impel, to spur on, to urge" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 人を何か行動するよう強く促したり、感情的に突き動かしたりする際に使われる表現です。良い意味でも悪い意味でも使われます。. A literal translation of "drive" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "運転する"
毎日、会社まで車を運転します。
I drive a car to work every day.
Bilingual Context for "駆り立てる"
彼は成功への強い願望に駆り立てられていた。
He was driven by a strong desire for success.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "毎日、会社まで車を運転します。" (Meaning: "I drive a car to work every day.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "運転する" fits here because it means "to drive" in the context of: "I drive a car to work every day.". "駆り立てる" represents "to drive, to impel, to spur on, to urge".