Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Make" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "make", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
軽視
けいし (keishi)
N2 / 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 軽視 and 埋め合わせる.
In Japanese, 軽視 (けいし (keishi)) is typically associated with "to make light of, to belittle, to underestimate, to disregard" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents ある事柄や要素を重要でないと考え、軽く扱うこと。その価値や重要性を低く評価する際に使う。.
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 "軽視"
彼は安全対策を軽視したため、事故が起こった。
He disregarded safety measures, which led to the accident.
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: "彼は安全対策を ＿＿＿ したため、事故が起こった。" (Meaning: "He disregarded safety measures, which led to the accident.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "軽視" fits here because it means "to make light of, to belittle, to underestimate, to disregard" in the context of: "He disregarded safety measures, which led to the accident.". "埋め合わせる" represents "to make up for; to compensate for; to make amends".