Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Treat" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "treat", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
おごる
おごる (ogoru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
あしらう
あしらう (ashirau)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "treat" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between おごる and あしらう.
In Japanese, おごる (おごる (ogoru)) is typically associated with "to treat (someone to a meal/drink), to pay for someone" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Used when one person pays for another person's meal, drinks, etc. Can also mean 'to be arrogant' but the N3 context usually refers to treating someone..
On the other hand, あしらう (あしらう (ashirau)) maps to "to treat, to handle, to deal with; to make light of, to brush off; to arrange, to decorate" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Has multiple meanings depending on context: to treat a person in a certain way, to deal with a matter lightly or dismissively, or to arrange/decorate something. Context is key for interpretation.. A literal translation of "treat" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "おごる"
今日のランチは私が奢るよ。気にしないで。
I'll treat you to lunch today. Don't worry about it.
Bilingual Context for "あしらう"
客を丁寧にあしらう。
To treat customers courteously.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "今日のランチは私が奢るよ。気にしないで。" (Meaning: "I'll treat you to lunch today. Don't worry about it.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "おごる" fits here because it means "to treat (someone to a meal/drink), to pay for someone" in the context of: "I'll treat you to lunch today. Don't worry about it.". "あしらう" represents "to treat, to handle, to deal with; to make light of, to brush off; to arrange, to decorate".