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
進歩する
しんぽする (shinpo suru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "make" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 作ります and 進歩する.
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, 進歩する (しんぽする (shinpo suru)) maps to "to make progress, to improve" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Often used to describe progress in skills, technology, or projects.. 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 "進歩する"
彼女の日本語は毎日進歩している。
Her Japanese is improving every day.
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.". "進歩する" represents "to make progress, to improve".