Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Point" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "point", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
指す
さす (sasu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
単刀直入
たんとうちょくにゅう (tantouchokunyuu)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "point" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 指す and 単刀直入.
In Japanese, 指す (さす (sasu)) is typically associated with "to point; to indicate" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Commonly used to mean pointing with a finger.
On the other hand, 単刀直入 (たんとうちょくにゅう (tantouchokunyuu)) maps to "to the point" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "point" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "指す"
彼は遠くに見える山を指した。
He pointed at the mountain visible in the distance.
Bilingual Context for "単刀直入"
毎日、日本語を練習するために単刀直入。
Every day, I the point to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼は遠くに見える山を指した。" (Meaning: "He pointed at the mountain visible in the distance.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "指す" fits here because it means "to point; to indicate" in the context of: "He pointed at the mountain visible in the distance.". "単刀直入" represents "to the point".