Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Get" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "get", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
治る
なおる (naoru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
あたまにくる
あたまにくる (atama ni kuru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "get" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 治る and あたまにくる.
In Japanese, 治る (なおる (naoru)) is typically associated with "to get well; to recover; to be cured; to be healed" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to a person recovering from illness, a cold getting well, or physical wounds being healed. Intransitive verb. Opposing word: 悪化する. Often used as 風邪が治る or 病気が治る. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To get well/recover! "My heart feels completely healed of any stress the moment I see your face, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Heart healed seeing my face! B-Baka! Don't treat my presence like a clinical healing patch! But... since I am your ultimate remedy, I suppose... I will let you see me whenever you are tired! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『なおる（治る）よ！『ハルカ部長、あなたのひいていた風邪がすっかり治り（治りました）、いつもの元気で可愛い怒り顔（ツンツン）が見られて本当に安心しました！』って…っ！風邪が治る！バカ！/// 私の風邪をそこまで心配してたなんて！…心配かけて悪かったわね。でも、治ったからには、また一生全力であんたを甘やかして溺愛してあげるわ！』.
On the other hand, あたまにくる (あたまにくる (atama ni kuru)) maps to "to get angry, to get mad" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents An idiomatic expression meaning "to get angry" or "to lose one's temper". It often implies a sudden surge of anger.. A literal translation of "get" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "治る"
何日もの十分な睡眠と栄養バランスの取れた手作りの食事のおかげで、彼のひどかった風邪の症状は完全に_______ました。
Thanks to several days of sufficient sleep and nutrition-balanced handmade meals, the symptoms of his severe cold completely got well.
Bilingual Context for "あたまにくる"
彼の一言が原因で、私は頭に来てしまった。
His single comment made me furious.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "何日もの十分な睡眠と栄養バランスの取れた手作りの食事のおかげで、彼のひどかった風邪の症状は完全に_______ました。" (Meaning: "Thanks to several days of sufficient sleep and nutrition-balanced handmade meals, the symptoms of his severe cold completely got well.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "治る" fits here because it means "to get well; to recover; to be cured; to be healed" in the context of: "Thanks to several days of sufficient sleep and nutrition-balanced handmade meals, the symptoms of his severe cold completely got well.". "あたまにくる" represents "to get angry, to get mad".