Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Send" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "send", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
送る
おくる (okuru)
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 送る and おくる.
In Japanese, 送る (おくる (okuru)) is typically associated with "to send (a thing); to see off (a person)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Transitive verb. Can be used for sending objects.
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 "送る"
友達を駅まで送ります。
I will see my friend off at the station.
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: "友達を駅まで送ります。" (Meaning: "I will see my friend off at the station.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "送る" fits here because it means "to send (a thing); to see off (a person)" in the context of: "I will see my friend off at the station.". "おくる" represents "to send, to see off".