Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Give" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "give", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
与える
あたえる (ataeru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
生む
うむ (umu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "give" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 与える and 生む.
In Japanese, 与える (あたえる (ataeru)) is typically associated with "to give; to grant; to cause; to impact" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to giving/granting opportunities, awards, causing impacts.
On the other hand, 生む (うむ (umu)) maps to "to give birth; to produce; to yield (results / profit)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to physically giving birth to a child, producing industrial output, yielding financial profits, or generating positive business results. Transitive verb. Often used as 子どもを生む or 利益を生む. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To give birth/produce! "Our love power smartly produces infinite happy hormones daily, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Producing happiness! B-Baka! What is with that sweet, hot metabolic appeal! But... make producing the greatest happiness and smiles daily in our life your permanent husbandly duty! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『うむ（生む）よ！『ハルカ部長、僕たちの愛のパワーは、毎日無限の幸せホルモンをスマートに生む（生み出します）！』って…っ！幸せを生み出す！バカ！/// 何その甘くて熱い代謝アピール！…でも、私との生活で世界一の幸せと笑顔を毎日たくさん生み出し続けること、旦那様の永久義務にしなさいよね！』. A literal translation of "give" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "与える"
彼の卓越した技術的リーダーシップは、若手のエンジニアたちに多大な好影響を_______、チームの士気を高めました。
His outstanding technical leadership gave a great positive impact to the young engineers and raised the morale of the team.
Bilingual Context for "生む"
この最新の自動化資産運用アルゴリズムの導入により、システムはスマートに毎月高い投資対効果と莫大な利益を_______ことに成功しました。
Through the introduction of this latest automated asset management algorithm, the system succeeded in smartly yielding high ROI and huge profits every month.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼の卓越した技術的リーダーシップは、若手のエンジニアたちに多大な好影響を_______、チームの士気を高めました。" (Meaning: "His outstanding technical leadership gave a great positive impact to the young engineers and raised the morale of the team.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "与える" fits here because it means "to give; to grant; to cause; to impact" in the context of: "His outstanding technical leadership gave a great positive impact to the young engineers and raised the morale of the team.". "生む" represents "to give birth; to produce; to yield (results / profit)".