Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Make" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "make", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
作ります
つくります (tsukurimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
冷やかす
ひやかす (hiyakasu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "make" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 作ります and 冷やかす.
In Japanese, 作ります (つくります (tsukurimasu)) is typically associated with "to make, to produce" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Polite form of 作る. Used for making things, cooking food, or creating..
On the other hand, 冷やかす (ひやかす (hiyakasu)) maps to "to make fun of, to tease, to banter; to window-shop without buying" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Has two main meanings: 1. To tease or make fun of someone, often in a playful but sometimes annoying way. 2. To browse in shops without the intention of buying. A literal translation of "make" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "作ります"
ケーキを作ります。
I make a cake.
Bilingual Context for "冷やかす"
彼が彼女を冷やかしているのを見て、みんなが笑った。
Everyone laughed, seeing him teasing her.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "ケーキを ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I make a cake.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "作ります" fits here because it means "to make, to produce" in the context of: "I make a cake.". "冷やかす" represents "to make fun of, to tease, to banter; to window-shop without buying".