Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Make" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "make", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
軽んじる
かろんじる (karonjiru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
捗る
はかどる (hakadoru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "make" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 軽んじる and 捗る.
In Japanese, 軽んじる (かろんじる (karonjiru)) is typically associated with "to make light of, to belittle, to disdain, to disregard" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents To treat something or someone as unimportant or trivial; often used for disrespecting rules, advice, feelings, or established norms. Similar to 侮る but focuses more on treating something as insignificant..
On the other hand, 捗る (はかどる (hakadoru)) maps to "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.. A literal translation of "make" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "軽んじる"
彼の忠告を軽んじた結果、大きな失敗をしてしまった。
As a result of making light of his advice, I made a big mistake.
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.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼の忠告を軽んじた結果、大きな失敗をしてしまった。" (Meaning: "As a result of making light of his advice, I made a big mistake.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "軽んじる" fits here because it means "to make light of, to belittle, to disdain, to disregard" in the context of: "As a result of making light of his advice, I made a big mistake.". "捗る" represents "to make progress; to advance (work, studies, etc.)".