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
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 儲かる and 軽んじる.
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, 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 "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 "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: "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.". "軽んじる" represents "to make light of, to belittle, to disdain, to disregard".