Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Run" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "run", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
走る
はしる (hashiru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
駆ける
かける (kakeru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "run" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 走る and 駆ける.
In Japanese, 走る (はしる (hashiru)) is typically associated with "to run" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Intransitive verb. Used for physical running. Polite form is 走ります.
On the other hand, 駆ける (かける (kakeru)) maps to "to run (quickly), to gallop, to dash" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Implies running quickly or at a full dash, often with a sense of urgency or speed. More dynamic and emphasizes speed compared to 走る. A literal translation of "run" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "走る"
毎朝、公園を走ります。
I run in the park every morning.
Bilingual Context for "駆ける"
遅刻しそうだったので、駅まで全速力で駆けた。
I was about to be late, so I dashed to the station at full speed.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "毎朝、公園を走ります。" (Meaning: "I run in the park every morning.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "走る" fits here because it means "to run" in the context of: "I run in the park every morning.". "駆ける" represents "to run (quickly), to gallop, to dash".