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
はかどる
はかどる (hakadoru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "make" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 汚す and はかどる.
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, はかどる (はかどる (hakadoru)) maps to "to make progress, to advance (work, study)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Refers to work, study, or other tasks progressing well and efficiently.. 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 "はかどる"
今日は仕事がはかどった。
My work made good progress today.
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.". "はかどる" represents "to make progress, to advance (work, study)".