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Synonym Nuance VS

How to say "Launch" in Japanese

Both words can translate to "launch", but which should you choose?

Japanese Option A

発売する

はつばいする (hatsubai suru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B

打ち上げる

うちあげる (uchiageru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus

Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference

When translating "launch" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 発売する and 打ち上げる. In Japanese, 発売する (はつばいする (hatsubai suru)) is typically associated with "to launch; to put on sale; to release (product)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to commercially launching products, putting items on sale, or releasing new software/books. Transitive verb. Often used as 新製品を発売する. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To launch/release! "If a book about my love for you is ever released, it will definitely become an instant bestseller, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Book about love released! B-Baka! Who is going to publish our private life so grandly! But... make sure you secretly deliver your single-minded handwritten love letters only to me daily! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『はつばいする(発売する)よ!『ハルカ部長、あなたへの愛が本になって発売する(発売されたら)、一瞬でベストセラー間違いなしです!』って…っ!愛の本が発売!バカ!/// 誰が私たちのプライベートをそんな大々的に出版するのよ!…でも、私への一途なラブレター、毎日手書きで私だけにこっそり届けなさいよね!』. On the other hand, 打ち上げる (うちあげる (uchiageru)) maps to "to launch (rocket, fireworks), to finish (a project/event), to wash ashore" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents ロケットや花火などを空に発射する、プロジェクトやイベントなどを成功裡に終了させる、といった幅広い意味で使われる。また、波が物を岸辺に運ぶ意味もある。. A literal translation of "launch" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "発売する"
大手ゲーム開発企業は、世界中のファンが熱望する待望の最新オープンワールドRPGを来月にスマートに_______と発表しました。
The major game development company announced that they will smartly launch the eagerly awaited latest open-world RPG, which fans worldwide long for, next month.
Bilingual Context for "打ち上げる"
新しい人工衛星が成功裏に打ち上げられた。
The new artificial satellite was successfully launched.

Nuance Mastery Quiz

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "大手ゲーム開発企業は、世界中のファンが熱望する待望の最新オープンワールドRPGを来月にスマートに_______と発表しました。" (Meaning: "The major game development company announced that they will smartly launch the eagerly awaited latest open-world RPG, which fans worldwide long for, next month.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "発売する" fits here because it means "to launch; to put on sale; to release (product)" in the context of: "The major game development company announced that they will smartly launch the eagerly awaited latest open-world RPG, which fans worldwide long for, next month.". "打ち上げる" represents "to launch (rocket, fireworks), to finish (a project/event), to wash ashore".

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