Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Order" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "order", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
誂える
あつらえる (atsuraeru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
命じる
めいじる (meijiru)
B2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "order" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 誂える and 命じる.
In Japanese, 誂える (あつらえる (atsuraeru)) is typically associated with "to order (something custom-made), to have something made to order" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Specifically refers to ordering something custom-made, like clothes or furniture, rather than buying ready-made items..
On the other hand, 命じる (めいじる (meijiru)) maps to "to order, to command" (Syllabus Level: B2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR B2 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "order" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "誂える"
結婚式のために、ウェディングドレスを誂えた。
I had a wedding dress custom-made for the wedding.
Bilingual Context for "命じる"
毎日、日本語を練習するために命じる。
Every day, I order, to command to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "結婚式のために、ウェディングドレスを誂えた。" (Meaning: "I had a wedding dress custom-made for the wedding.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "誂える" fits here because it means "to order (something custom-made), to have something made to order" in the context of: "I had a wedding dress custom-made for the wedding.". "命じる" represents "to order, to command".