Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Give" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "give", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
見限る
みかぎる (mikagiru)
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 見限る and さじを投げる.
In Japanese, 見限る (みかぎる (mikagiru)) is typically associated with "to give up on, to abandon, to despair of" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents To decide that someone or something is hopeless, worthless, or beyond redemption, and to stop expecting anything positive from them. It often implies a final and decisive abandonment..
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 "見限る"
何度も裏切られたため、ついに彼を見限ることにした。
Having been betrayed many times, I finally decided to give up on him.
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: "何度も裏切られたため、ついに彼を ＿＿＿ ことにした。" (Meaning: "Having been betrayed many times, I finally decided to give up on him.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "見限る" fits here because it means "to give up on, to abandon, to despair of" in the context of: "Having been betrayed many times, I finally decided to give up on him.". "さじを投げる" represents "to give up, to throw in the towel, to abandon (a difficult task/person)".