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Synonym Nuance VS

How to say "Make" in Japanese

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

Japanese Option A

作る

つくる (tsukuru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B

軽んじる

かろんじる (karonjiru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus

Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference

When translating "make" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 作る and 軽んじる. In Japanese, 作る (つくる (tsukuru)) is typically associated with "to make, to produce" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Used for creating physical objects, food, plans, etc. 「作ります」is the polite form.. On the other hand, 軽んじる (かろんじる (karonjiru)) maps to "to make light of, to belittle, to disdain, to disregard" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents To treat something or someone as unimportant or trivial; often used for disrespecting rules, advice, feelings, or established norms. Similar to 侮る but focuses more on treating something as insignificant.. A literal translation of "make" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "作る"
晩ごはんを作ります。
I will make dinner.
Bilingual Context for "軽んじる"
彼の忠告を軽んじた結果、大きな失敗をしてしまった。
As a result of making light of his advice, I made a big mistake.

Nuance Mastery Quiz

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "晩ごはんを作ります。" (Meaning: "I will make dinner.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "作る" fits here because it means "to make, to produce" in the context of: "I will make dinner.". "軽んじる" represents "to make light of, to belittle, to disdain, to disregard".

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