Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Make" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "make", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
かける
かける (kakeru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
騒ぐ
さわぐ (sawagu)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "make" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between かける and 騒ぐ.
In Japanese, かける (かける (kakeru)) is typically associated with "to make a phone call; to hang; to wear (glasses)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents This verb has multiple meanings. For N5, common usages include 「電話をかける」.
On the other hand, 騒ぐ (さわぐ (sawagu)) maps to "to make a noise; to be noisy; to make a fuss" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Intransitive verb. Describes people making loud noises, being boisterous, or causing a commotion. Can also mean to panic. 大声を出したり、うるさくしたり、落ち着きがなくなったりする様子を表します。. A literal translation of "make" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "かける"
友達に電話をかけます。
I will make a phone call to my friend.
Bilingual Context for "騒ぐ"
子供たちが公園で楽しく騒いでいます。
The children are having fun making noise in the park.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "友達に電話をかけます。" (Meaning: "I will make a phone call to my friend.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "かける" fits here because it means "to make a phone call; to hang; to wear (glasses)" in the context of: "I will make a phone call to my friend.". "騒ぐ" represents "to make a noise; to be noisy; to make a fuss".