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Synonym Nuance VS

How to say "Make" in Japanese

Both words can translate to "make", but which should you choose?

Japanese Option A

進歩する

しんぽする (shinpo suru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B

軽んじる

かろんじる (karonjiru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus

Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference

When translating "make" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 進歩する and 軽んじる. In Japanese, 進歩する (しんぽする (shinpo suru)) is typically associated with "to make progress, to improve" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Often used to describe progress in skills, technology, or projects.. On the other hand, 軽んじる (かろんじる (karonjiru)) maps to "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.. A literal translation of "make" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "進歩する"
彼女の日本語は毎日進歩している。
Her Japanese is improving every day.
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.

Nuance Mastery Quiz

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "彼女の日本語は毎日進歩している。" (Meaning: "Her Japanese is improving every day.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "進歩する" fits here because it means "to make progress, to improve" in the context of: "Her Japanese is improving every day.". "軽んじる" represents "to make light of, to belittle, to disdain, to disregard".