Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Make" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "make", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
電話する
でんわする (denwa suru)
N4 / 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 電話する and 埋め合わせる.
In Japanese, 電話する (でんわする (denwa suru)) is typically associated with "to make a phone call" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Used when making a phone call to someone. Can be used with に.
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 "電話する"
友達に電話して、会議の時間を伝えました。
I called my friend and told them the meeting time.
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: "友達に電話して、会議の時間を伝えました。" (Meaning: "I called my friend and told them the meeting time.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "電話する" fits here because it means "to make a phone call" in the context of: "I called my friend and told them the meeting time.". "埋め合わせる" represents "to make up for; to compensate for; to make amends".