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
埋め合わせる
うめあわせる (umeawaseru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "make" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 作ります and 埋め合わせる.
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, 埋め合わせる (うめあわせる (umeawaseru)) maps to "to make up for; to compensate for; to make amends" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 損失や不足、過ちなどに対して、何かをして帳消しにする、または等価なものを提供する状況で使う。Used when doing something to cancel out a loss, deficiency, or mistake, or providing something equivalent.. 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 "埋め合わせる"
昨日の遅刻を埋め合わせるために、今日は早く出社した。
To make up for being late yesterday, I came to work early today.
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.". "埋め合わせる" represents "to make up for; to compensate for; to make amends".