Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Make" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "make", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
儲かる
もうかる (moukaru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
そろえる
そろえる (soroeru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "make" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 儲かる and そろえる.
In Japanese, 儲かる (もうかる (moukaru)) is typically associated with "to make a profit, be profitable" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Intransitive verb. Refers to a business or venture gaining profit or being financially successful. The subject is usually the business or the venture, not a person..
On the other hand, そろえる (そろえる (soroeru)) maps to "to make uniform, to arrange, to collect (all of something)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents A transitive verb. Often used for aligning things, making them uniform, or collecting a complete set.. A literal translation of "make" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "儲かる"
この商売はとても儲かっている。
This business is very profitable.
Bilingual Context for "そろえる"
机の上をきれいにそろえた。
I neatly arranged the things on the desk.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "この商売はとても儲かっている。" (Meaning: "This business is very profitable.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "儲かる" fits here because it means "to make a profit, be profitable" in the context of: "This business is very profitable.". "そろえる" represents "to make uniform, to arrange, to collect (all of something)".