Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Raise" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "raise", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
育てる
そだてる (sodateru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
掲げる
かかげる (kakageru)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "raise" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 育てる and 掲げる.
In Japanese, 育てる (そだてる (sodateru)) is typically associated with "to raise, to bring up, to cultivate (transitive)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents A transitive verb meaning to raise, bring up, or cultivate. Used for children, plants, or animals. The intransitive counterpart is 育つ.
On the other hand, 掲げる (かかげる (kakageru)) maps to "to raise, to hoist" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "raise" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "育てる"
彼女は三人の子供を育てています。
She is raising three children.
Bilingual Context for "掲げる"
毎日、日本語を練習するために掲げる。
Every day, I raise, to hoist to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼女は三人の子供を育てています。" (Meaning: "She is raising three children.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "育てる" fits here because it means "to raise, to bring up, to cultivate (transitive)" in the context of: "She is raising three children.". "掲げる" represents "to raise, to hoist".