Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Make" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "make", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
駆使
くし (kushi)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
火に油を注ぐ
ひにあぶらをそそぐ (hiniaburawososogu)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "make" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 駆使 and 火に油を注ぐ.
In Japanese, 駆使 (くし (kushi)) is typically associated with "make full use of, utilize to the utmost, master" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents Implies skillful and exhaustive use of one's abilities, tools, or knowledge to achieve a goal. Often used with skills, technology, or resources..
On the other hand, 火に油を注ぐ (ひにあぶらをそそぐ (hiniaburawososogu)) maps to "to make things worse" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "make" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "駆使"
彼は語学力を駆使して、海外でのビジネスを成功させた。
He made full use of his language skills to succeed in business overseas.
Bilingual Context for "火に油を注ぐ"
毎日、日本語を練習するために火に油を注ぐ。
Every day, I make things worse to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼は語学力を ＿＿＿ して、海外でのビジネスを成功させた。" (Meaning: "He made full use of his language skills to succeed in business overseas.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "駆使" fits here because it means "make full use of, utilize to the utmost, master" in the context of: "He made full use of his language skills to succeed in business overseas.". "火に油を注ぐ" represents "to make things worse".