Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Instigate" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "instigate", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
けしかける
けしかける (keshikakeru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
唆す
唆す(そそのかす)
C2PLUS / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "instigate" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between けしかける and 唆す.
In Japanese, けしかける (けしかける (keshikakeru)) is typically associated with "to instigate, incite, egg on, stir up (e.g. a fight)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Means to provoke or encourage someone to do something, often something negative or aggressive, like starting a fight or argument..
On the other hand, 唆す (唆す(そそのかす)) maps to "to instigate; to tempt; to egg on; to entice" (Syllabus Level: C2PLUS) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C2PLUS vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "instigate" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "けしかける"
彼はいつも仲間をけしかけて、問題を起こさせる。
He always eggs on his friends to cause trouble.
Bilingual Context for "唆す"
毎日、日本語を練習するために唆す。
Every day, I instigate; to tempt; to egg on; to entice to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼はいつも仲間をけしかけて、問題を起こさせる。" (Meaning: "He always eggs on his friends to cause trouble.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "けしかける" fits here because it means "to instigate, incite, egg on, stir up (e.g. a fight)" in the context of: "He always eggs on his friends to cause trouble.". "唆す" represents "to instigate; to tempt; to egg on; to entice".