Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Put" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "put", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
仕舞う
しまう (shimau)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
掲げる
かかげる (kakageru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "put" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 仕舞う and 掲げる.
In Japanese, 仕舞う (しまう (shimau)) is typically associated with "to put away, to finish, to store, to close (a shop)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents As a main verb, it primarily means to put something away in its designated place or to finish an activity/close a business. As an auxiliary verb.
On the other hand, 掲げる (かかげる (kakageru)) maps to "to put up (a notice), to display, to hoist (a flag), to set up (a goal)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Used for displaying something publicly or formally, or for setting a high goal/ideal.. A literal translation of "put" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "仕舞う"
使ったおもちゃを箱に仕舞った。
I put away the toys I used into the box.
Bilingual Context for "掲げる"
彼は高い目標を掲げて日々の仕事に取り組んでいる。
He sets high goals and works on his daily tasks.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "使ったおもちゃを箱に仕舞った。" (Meaning: "I put away the toys I used into the box.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "仕舞う" fits here because it means "to put away, to finish, to store, to close (a shop)" in the context of: "I put away the toys I used into the box.". "掲げる" represents "to put up (a notice), to display, to hoist (a flag), to set up (a goal)".