Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Have" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "have", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
もてあます
もてあます (moteamasu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
目が無い
めがない (me ga nai)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "have" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between もてあます and 目が無い.
In Japanese, もてあます (もてあます (moteamasu)) is typically associated with "to have too much of; to not know what to do with; to be at a loss with; to be burdened with" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Expresses a feeling of having more of something.
On the other hand, 目が無い (めがない (me ga nai)) maps to "have a weakness for" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "have" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "もてあます"
長い休みを持て余して、何をすればいいかわからない。
I have too much free time during the long vacation and don't know what to do.
Bilingual Context for "目が無い"
これはとても目が無いですね。
This is very have a weakness for, isn't it?
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "長い休みを持て余して、何をすればいいかわからない。" (Meaning: "I have too much free time during the long vacation and don't know what to do.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "もてあます" fits here because it means "to have too much of; to not know what to do with; to be at a loss with; to be burdened with" in the context of: "I have too much free time during the long vacation and don't know what to do.". "目が無い" represents "have a weakness for".