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
軽視
けいし (keishi)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "make" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 電話する and 軽視.
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, 軽視 (けいし (keishi)) maps to "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。. 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 "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.
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.". "軽視" represents "to make light of, to belittle, to underestimate, to disregard".