Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Kick" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "kick", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
蹴飛ばす
けとばす (ketobasu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
蹴る
ける (keru)
B2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "kick" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 蹴飛ばす and 蹴る.
In Japanese, 蹴飛ばす (けとばす (ketobasu)) is typically associated with "to kick away; to kick off; to spurn" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Involves kicking something with force, often to move it away or express frustration. Can also be used figuratively for rejecting something..
On the other hand, 蹴る (ける (keru)) maps to "to kick" (Syllabus Level: B2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR B2 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "kick" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "蹴飛ばす"
腹が立って、目の前の石を蹴飛ばした。
Feeling angry, I kicked away the stone in front of me.
Bilingual Context for "蹴る"
毎日、日本語を練習するために蹴る。
Every day, I kick to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "腹が立って、目の前の石を蹴飛ばした。" (Meaning: "Feeling angry, I kicked away the stone in front of me.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "蹴飛ばす" fits here because it means "to kick away; to kick off; to spurn" in the context of: "Feeling angry, I kicked away the stone in front of me.". "蹴る" represents "to kick".