Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Give" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "give", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
思い切る
おもいきる (omoikiru)
N2 / 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 思い切る and さじを投げる.
In Japanese, 思い切る (おもいきる (omoikiru)) is typically associated with "to give up; to abandon; to make a final decision; to make a clean break" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Implies making a bold decision to abandon something or to take a decisive action, often after much hesitation. Can also mean to give up entirely..
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 "思い切る"
彼女は長年の夢を思い切って諦めた。
She bravely gave up her long-cherished dream.
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: "彼女は長年の夢を思い切って諦めた。" (Meaning: "She bravely gave up her long-cherished dream.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "思い切る" fits here because it means "to give up; to abandon; to make a final decision; to make a clean break" in the context of: "She bravely gave up her long-cherished dream.". "さじを投げる" represents "to give up, to throw in the towel, to abandon (a difficult task/person)".