Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Make" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "make", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
捗る
はかどる (hakadoru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
火に油を注ぐ
ひにあぶらをそそぐ (hiniaburawososogu)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "make" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 捗る and 火に油を注ぐ.
In Japanese, 捗る (はかどる (hakadoru)) is typically associated with "to make progress; to advance (work, studies, etc.)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Intransitive verb. Used when work or studies are progressing smoothly and efficiently..
On the other hand, 火に油を注ぐ (ひにあぶらをそそぐ (hiniaburawososogu)) maps to "to make things worse" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "make" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "捗る"
天気が良くて集中できたので、仕事が予想以上に捗った。
The good weather and my concentration helped my work progress more than expected.
Bilingual Context for "火に油を注ぐ"
毎日、日本語を練習するために火に油を注ぐ。
Every day, I make things worse to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "天気が良くて集中できたので、仕事が予想以上に捗った。" (Meaning: "The good weather and my concentration helped my work progress more than expected.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "捗る" fits here because it means "to make progress; to advance (work, studies, etc.)" in the context of: "The good weather and my concentration helped my work progress more than expected.". "火に油を注ぐ" represents "to make things worse".