Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Give" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "give", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
譲る
ゆずる (yuzuru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
施す
ほどこす (hodokosu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "give" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 譲る and 施す.
In Japanese, 譲る (ゆずる (yuzuru)) is typically associated with "to give way, to hand over, to concede, to yield" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Implies giving something.
On the other hand, 施す (ほどこす (hodokosu)) maps to "to give; to donate; to apply; to perform (treatment)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Often implies giving charity, performing treatment, or applying something. A literal translation of "give" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "譲る"
電車ではお年寄りに席を譲りましょう。
On the train, let's give up our seats to the elderly.
Bilingual Context for "施す"
被災者に食料と医薬品を施した。
They provided food and medicine to the disaster victims.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "電車ではお年寄りに席を譲りましょう。" (Meaning: "On the train, let's give up our seats to the elderly.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "譲る" fits here because it means "to give way, to hand over, to concede, to yield" in the context of: "On the train, let's give up our seats to the elderly.". "施す" represents "to give; to donate; to apply; to perform (treatment)".