Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Make" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "make", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
騒ぐ
さわぐ (sawagu)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
冷やかす
ひやかす (hiyakasu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "make" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 騒ぐ and 冷やかす.
In Japanese, 騒ぐ (さわぐ (sawagu)) is typically associated with "to make a noise; to be noisy; to make a fuss" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Intransitive verb. Describes people making loud noises, being boisterous, or causing a commotion. Can also mean to panic. 大声を出したり、うるさくしたり、落ち着きがなくなったりする様子を表します。.
On the other hand, 冷やかす (ひやかす (hiyakasu)) maps to "to make fun of, to tease, to banter; to window-shop without buying" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Has two main meanings: 1. To tease or make fun of someone, often in a playful but sometimes annoying way. 2. To browse in shops without the intention of buying. A literal translation of "make" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "騒ぐ"
子供たちが公園で楽しく騒いでいます。
The children are having fun making noise in the park.
Bilingual Context for "冷やかす"
彼が彼女を冷やかしているのを見て、みんなが笑った。
Everyone laughed, seeing him teasing her.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "子供たちが公園で楽しく騒いでいます。" (Meaning: "The children are having fun making noise in the park.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "騒ぐ" fits here because it means "to make a noise; to be noisy; to make a fuss" in the context of: "The children are having fun making noise in the park.". "冷やかす" represents "to make fun of, to tease, to banter; to window-shop without buying".