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
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 儲かる and 埋め合わせる.
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, 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 "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 "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: "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.". "埋め合わせる" represents "to make up for; to compensate for; to make amends".