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
儲かる
もうかる (moukaru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "make" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 汚す and 儲かる.
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, 儲かる (もうかる (moukaru)) maps to "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.. 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 "儲かる"
この商売はとても儲かっている。
This business is very profitable.
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.". "儲かる" represents "to make a profit, be profitable".