Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Stroke" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "stroke", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
一挙に
いっきょに (ikkyo ni)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
僥倖
ぎょうこう (gyōkō)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "stroke" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 一挙に and 僥倖.
In Japanese, 一挙に (いっきょに (ikkyo ni)) is typically associated with "at a stroke; in one fell swoop; all at once" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 物事が一度に、かつ完全に起こることを強調します。.
On the other hand, 僥倖 (ぎょうこう (gyōkō)) maps to "a stroke of luck, unexpected good fortune, a windfall" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents Implies a fortunate event that happened by chance, often beyond one's control or expectation. 予期せぬ幸運や巡り合わせを指す、やや硬い表現。. A literal translation of "stroke" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "一挙に"
彼はその問題を一挙に解決した。
He solved the problem all at once.
Bilingual Context for "僥倖"
今回の成功は、彼の努力だけでなく、ある程度の僥倖があったからだ。
This success was not only due to his efforts but also to a certain amount of good fortune.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼はその問題を ＿＿＿ 解決した。" (Meaning: "He solved the problem all at once.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "一挙に" fits here because it means "at a stroke; in one fell swoop; all at once" in the context of: "He solved the problem all at once.". "僥倖" represents "a stroke of luck, unexpected good fortune, a windfall".