Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Influence" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "influence", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
影響する
えいきょうする (eikyōsuru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
影響を与える
えいきょうをあたえる (eikyō wo ataeru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "influence" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 影響する and 影響を与える.
In Japanese, 影響する (えいきょうする (eikyōsuru)) is typically associated with "to influence; to affect; to impact" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to having a strong physical or psychological influence or impact on another person, system load, or business outcomes. Often used as 影響を与える or 悪い影響. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To influence/affect! "Your beautiful presence completely affects my ability to concentrate on code, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Concentrating on code affected! B-Baka! Don't blame my beautiful presence for your slow typing! But... since I have such a strong influence on you, you better not dare look at any other girl! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『えいきょう（影響）するよ！『ハルカ部長、あなたのその極上に可愛い怒り顔（ツンツン）、僕のハートの血圧に深刻な好影響（ドキドキ）を与え続けています！』って…っ！血圧への影響！バカ！/// 私の怒り顔をそんなエンタメみたいに観測しないでよ！…でも、そこまで私の表情に影響されてるなら、一生私の隣で嬉しそうにドキドキし続けなさい！』.
On the other hand, 影響を与える (えいきょうをあたえる (eikyō wo ataeru)) maps to "to influence, to affect" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents This phrase literally means 'to give influence.' The subject is typically the cause of the influence, and the object is the one receiving it. 「影響を受ける. A literal translation of "influence" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "影響する"
昨今のシステムアップデートにおける大規模な設定ミスは、本番環境のデータベースサーバーの冗長化動作に多大な悪影響を_______ました。
A large-scale configuration error in the recent system update exerted a great negative impact on the redundant operation of the production database server.
Bilingual Context for "影響を与える"
彼の言葉は多くの人に大きな影響を与えた。
His words greatly influenced many people.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "昨今のシステムアップデートにおける大規模な設定ミスは、本番環境のデータベースサーバーの冗長化動作に多大な悪影響を_______ました。" (Meaning: "A large-scale configuration error in the recent system update exerted a great negative impact on the redundant operation of the production database server.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "影響する" fits here because it means "to influence; to affect; to impact" in the context of: "A large-scale configuration error in the recent system update exerted a great negative impact on the redundant operation of the production database server.". "影響を与える" represents "to influence, to affect".