Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Get" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "get", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
酔う
よう (you)
N3 / 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 酔う and 罷り通る.
In Japanese, 酔う (よう (you)) is typically associated with "to get drunk, to get seasick/carsick" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Can mean to get drunk from alcohol, or to feel motion sickness.
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 "酔う"
昨夜、お酒を飲みすぎて酔ってしまった。
I drank too much last night and got drunk.
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: "昨夜、お酒を飲みすぎて酔ってしまった。" (Meaning: "I drank too much last night and got drunk.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "酔う" fits here because it means "to get drunk, to get seasick/carsick" in the context of: "I drank too much last night and got drunk.". "罷り通る" represents "to get away with (something), to be accepted (unjustly/despite flaws), to go unchallenged".