Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Very" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "very", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
大変
たいへん (taihen)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
はなはだ
はなはだ (hanahada)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "very" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 大変 and はなはだ.
In Japanese, 大変 (たいへん (taihen)) is typically associated with "very, terribly; difficult, tough; serious, awful" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Can function as an adverb.
On the other hand, はなはだ (はなはだ (hanahada)) maps to "very, greatly (negative)" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "very" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "大変"
日本語の勉強は大変ですが、楽しいです。
Studying Japanese is difficult, but fun.
Bilingual Context for "はなはだ"
私ははなはだに興味があります。
I am interested in very, greatly (negative).
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "日本語の勉強は ＿＿＿ ですが、楽しいです。" (Meaning: "Studying Japanese is difficult, but fun.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "大変" fits here because it means "very, terribly; difficult, tough; serious, awful" in the context of: "Studying Japanese is difficult, but fun.". "はなはだ" represents "very, greatly (negative)".