Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "後ろ", "裏", "背中", "裏付ける"
All represent the core concept "back", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
後ろ
うしろ (ushiro)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
裏
うら (ura)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
背中
せなか (senaka)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
裏付ける
うらづける (urazukeru)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "back" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "後ろ", "裏", "背中", "裏付ける" based on context.
- 後ろ (うしろ (ushiro) - Level: N5): Maps to "back, behind" and is used when Refers to the 'back' or 'behind' something/someone. Opposite of 前.
- 裏 (うら (ura) - Level: N4): Maps to "back (side), reverse side, lining, wrong side" and is used when Refers to the opposite side of the front.
- 背中 (せなか (senaka) - Level: N4): Maps to "back (of the body)" and is used when Refers to the posterior part of the human or animal torso. Commonly used when describing physical condition.
- 裏付ける (うらづける (urazukeru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to back up; to support; to confirm; to corroborate" and is used when 主張や仮説などが正しいことを証拠や事実で示すときに使う。Used when showing that a claim or hypothesis is correct with evidence or facts..
Context for "後ろ"
私の車の後ろに猫がいます。
There is a cat behind my car.
Context for "裏"
この紙の裏に名前を書いてください。
Please write your name on the back of this paper.
Context for "背中"
荷物が重くて、背中が痛いです。
My back hurts because the luggage is heavy.
Context for "裏付ける"
その証拠は彼の証言を裏付けるものだった。
That evidence corroborated his testimony.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "私の車の ＿＿＿ に猫がいます。" (Meaning: "There is a cat behind my car.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "後ろ" is correct here because it represents "back, behind" in the context: "There is a cat behind my car.".