Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Get" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "get", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
起きます
おきます (okimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
罷り通る
まかりとおる (makaritōru)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "get" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 起きます and 罷り通る.
In Japanese, 起きます (おきます (okimasu)) is typically associated with "to get up, to wake up" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Polite form of 起こす.
On the other hand, 罷り通る (まかりとおる (makaritōru)) maps to "to get away with (something), to be accepted (unjustly/despite flaws), to go unchallenged" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents Often used in a somewhat critical or exasperated tone, describing a situation where something illogical, unfair, or incorrect is accepted or allowed to happen without proper challenge. It can also mean that something. A literal translation of "get" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "起きます"
私は毎朝6時に起きます。
I wake up at 6 AM every morning.
Bilingual Context for "罷り通る"
この会社では、不正な経費申請が罷り通っているらしい。
It seems that fraudulent expense claims are going unchallenged in this company.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "私は毎朝6時に ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I wake up at 6 AM every morning.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "起きます" fits here because it means "to get up, to wake up" in the context of: "I wake up at 6 AM every morning.". "罷り通る" represents "to get away with (something), to be accepted (unjustly/despite flaws), to go unchallenged".