Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Treat" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "treat", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
奢る
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 奢る and あしらう.
In Japanese, 奢る (おごる (ogoru)) is typically associated with "to treat (someone to a meal/drink), to be extravagant" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Most commonly used when one person pays for another's meal, drinks, or entertainment as a treat. Less commonly, it can mean to be arrogant or extravagant..
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 "奢る"
今日は僕が奢るから、好きなものを注文していいよ。
It's my treat today, so feel free to order whatever you like.
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: "今日は僕が ＿＿＿ から、好きなものを注文していいよ。" (Meaning: "It's my treat today, so feel free to order whatever you like.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "奢る" fits here because it means "to treat (someone to a meal/drink), to be extravagant" in the context of: "It's my treat today, so feel free to order whatever you like.". "あしらう" represents "to treat, to handle, to deal with; to make light of, to brush off; to arrange, to decorate".