Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Thank" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "thank", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
慰労
いろう (irō)
N1 / 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 慰労 and 犒う.
In Japanese, 慰労 (いろう (irō)) is typically associated with "to thank/reward for hard work, to express appreciation for efforts" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents Expressing appreciation or gratitude for someone's hard work and effort, often after a demanding period or project, acknowledging their fatigue and thanking them..
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 "慰労"
長いプロジェクトが終わった後、社員を慰労するパーティーが開かれた。
After the long project finished, a party was held to thank the employees for their hard work.
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: "長いプロジェクトが終わった後、社員を ＿＿＿ するパーティーが開かれた。" (Meaning: "After the long project finished, a party was held to thank the employees for their hard work.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "慰労" fits here because it means "to thank/reward for hard work, to express appreciation for efforts" in the context of: "After the long project finished, a party was held to thank the employees for their hard work.". "犒う" represents "To thank or reward for labor or services; to show appreciation for someone's efforts (rare kanji).".