Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Send" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "send", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
送ります
おくります (okurimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
おくる
おくる (okuru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "send" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 送ります and おくる.
In Japanese, 送ります (おくります (okurimasu)) is typically associated with "to send, to escort" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Polite form of 送る.
On the other hand, おくる (おくる (okuru)) maps to "to send, to see off" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Can mean 'to send. A literal translation of "send" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "送ります"
友達にメールを送ります。
I send an email to my friend.
Bilingual Context for "おくる"
友達に手紙を送りました。
I sent a letter to my friend.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "友達にメールを ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I send an email to my friend.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "送ります" fits here because it means "to send, to escort" in the context of: "I send an email to my friend.". "おくる" represents "to send, to see off".