Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "To send" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "to send", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
送ります
おくります (okurimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
おくる
おくる (okuru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "to send" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 送ります and おくる.
In Japanese, 送ります (おくります (okurimasu)) is typically associated with "to send, to escort" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Polite form of 送る.
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 "to send" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "送ります"
友達にメールを送ります。
I send an email to my friend.
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: "友達にメールを ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I send an email to my friend.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "送ります" fits here because it means "to send, to escort" in the context of: "I send an email to my friend.". "おくる" represents "to send, to see off".