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
降りる
おりる (oriru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "get" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 起きます and 降りる.
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, 降りる (おりる (oriru)) maps to "to get off (a vehicle), to dismount" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents 乗り物から外に出るときに使います。Polite form is 降ります. 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 "降りる"
次の駅でバスを降ります。
I will get off the bus at the next station.
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.". "降りる" represents "to get off (a vehicle), to dismount".