Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Make" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "make", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
生かす
いかす (ikasu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
埋め合わせる
うめあわせる (umeawaseru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "make" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 生かす and 埋め合わせる.
In Japanese, 生かす (いかす (ikasu)) is typically associated with "to make good use of, to leverage, to keep alive" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Often refers to utilizing one's skills, experience, or a resource effectively. Can also mean to save a life or let something live..
On the other hand, 埋め合わせる (うめあわせる (umeawaseru)) maps to "to make up for; to compensate for; to make amends" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 損失や不足、過ちなどに対して、何かをして帳消しにする、または等価なものを提供する状況で使う。Used when doing something to cancel out a loss, deficiency, or mistake, or providing something equivalent.. A literal translation of "make" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "生かす"
この経験を次の仕事に生かしたい。
I want to make good use of this experience in my next job.
Bilingual Context for "埋め合わせる"
昨日の遅刻を埋め合わせるために、今日は早く出社した。
To make up for being late yesterday, I came to work early today.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "この経験を次の仕事に生かしたい。" (Meaning: "I want to make good use of this experience in my next job.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "生かす" fits here because it means "to make good use of, to leverage, to keep alive" in the context of: "I want to make good use of this experience in my next job.". "埋め合わせる" represents "to make up for; to compensate for; to make amends".