Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Make" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "make", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
汚す
よごす (yogosu)
N4 / 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 汚す and そろえる.
In Japanese, 汚す (よごす (yogosu)) is typically associated with "to make dirty (transitive)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Used when someone *makes* something dirty. It emphasizes the action of an agent causing something to become dirty.
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 "汚す"
彼はシャツにインクをこぼして汚してしまいました。
He spilled ink on his shirt and made it dirty.
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: "彼はシャツにインクをこぼして汚してしまいました。" (Meaning: "He spilled ink on his shirt and made it dirty.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "汚す" fits here because it means "to make dirty (transitive)" in the context of: "He spilled ink on his shirt and made it dirty.". "そろえる" represents "to make uniform, to arrange, to collect (all of something)".