Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Make" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "make", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
役立てる
やくだてる (yakudateru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
冷やかす
ひやかす (hiyakasu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "make" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 役立てる and 冷やかす.
In Japanese, 役立てる (やくだてる (yakudateru)) is typically associated with "to make use of, to put to good use, to utilize" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Often used to express making something useful or contributing to something. Could be for skills, experiences, or tools..
On the other hand, 冷やかす (ひやかす (hiyakasu)) maps to "to make fun of, to tease, to banter; to window-shop without buying" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Has two main meanings: 1. To tease or make fun of someone, often in a playful but sometimes annoying way. 2. To browse in shops without the intention of buying. A literal translation of "make" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "役立てる"
この経験を今後の仕事に役立てたい。
I want to put this experience to good use in my future work.
Bilingual Context for "冷やかす"
彼が彼女を冷やかしているのを見て、みんなが笑った。
Everyone laughed, seeing him teasing her.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "この経験を今後の仕事に役立てたい。" (Meaning: "I want to put this experience to good use in my future work.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "役立てる" fits here because it means "to make use of, to put to good use, to utilize" in the context of: "I want to put this experience to good use in my future work.". "冷やかす" represents "to make fun of, to tease, to banter; to window-shop without buying".