Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Give" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "give", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
くださる
くださる (kudasaru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
さじを投げる
さじをなげる (saji o nageru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "give" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between くださる and さじを投げる.
In Japanese, くださる (くださる (kudasaru)) is typically associated with "to give (honorific, when the giver is superior to the recipient)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Honorific form of くれる.
On the other hand, さじを投げる (さじをなげる (saji o nageru)) maps to "to give up, to throw in the towel, to abandon (a difficult task/person)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Idiomatic expression. Implies giving up due to difficulty or hopelessness, often after trying for a while. It can be used for a task, a problem, or even a person. A literal translation of "give" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "くださる"
部長が私に新しいプロジェクトの情報をくださった。
The department manager gave me information about the new project.
Bilingual Context for "さじを投げる"
何度教えても理解しないので、先生もついにさじを投げた。
Even the teacher finally gave up because no matter how many times he taught, the student wouldn't understand.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "部長が私に新しいプロジェクトの情報をくださった。" (Meaning: "The department manager gave me information about the new project.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "くださる" fits here because it means "to give (honorific, when the giver is superior to the recipient)" in the context of: "The department manager gave me information about the new project.". "さじを投げる" represents "to give up, to throw in the towel, to abandon (a difficult task/person)".