Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Spend" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "spend", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
かける
かける (jikan o kakeru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
費やす
ついやす (tsuiyasu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "spend" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between かける and 費やす.
In Japanese, かける (かける (jikan o kakeru)) is typically associated with "to spend (time), to take (time)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents When combined with 時間.
On the other hand, 費やす (ついやす (tsuiyasu)) maps to "to spend (time, money, effort), to waste" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 時間、金銭、労力などを使うことを表す他動詞です。無駄に使う場合にも使われます。/ A transitive verb meaning to use time, money, or effort. Can also imply waste.. A literal translation of "spend" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "かける"
このレポートを完成させるのに３時間もかけた。
I spent 3 hours completing this report.
Bilingual Context for "費やす"
趣味に多くの時間を費やしている。
I spend a lot of time on my hobbies.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "このレポートを完成させるのに３時間もかけた。" (Meaning: "I spent 3 hours completing this report.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "かける" fits here because it means "to spend (time), to take (time)" in the context of: "I spent 3 hours completing this report.". "費やす" represents "to spend (time, money, effort), to waste".