Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Thank" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "thank", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
いただきます
いただきます (itadakimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
犒う
犒う(ねぎらう)
C2PLUS / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "thank" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between いただきます and 犒う.
In Japanese, いただきます (いただきます (itadakimasu)) is typically associated with "Thank you for the meal (before eating); I humbly receive" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents A polite phrase said before eating or drinking, or when receiving something, expressing gratitude. It implies 'I humbly receive this food/drink/item'..
On the other hand, 犒う (犒う(ねぎらう)) maps to "To thank or reward for labor or services; to show appreciation for someone's efforts (rare kanji)." (Syllabus Level: C2PLUS) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C2PLUS vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "thank" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "いただきます"
食事の前に「いただきます」と言います。
I say "Itadakimasu" before a meal.
Bilingual Context for "犒う"
毎日、日本語を練習するために犒う。
Every day, I thank or reward for labor or services; to show appreciation for someone's efforts (rare kanji). to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "食事の前に「 ＿＿＿ 」と言います。" (Meaning: "I say "Itadakimasu" before a meal.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "いただきます" fits here because it means "Thank you for the meal (before eating); I humbly receive" in the context of: "I say "Itadakimasu" before a meal.". "犒う" represents "To thank or reward for labor or services; to show appreciation for someone's efforts (rare kanji).".