🦅 Project Eagle
Quadruple VS

Synonym Boundary: "間に合う", "遅れる", "見える", "治る"

All represent the core concept "be", but require precise selection.

Japanese Option A

間に合う

まにあう (maniau)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B

遅れる

おくれる (okureru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C

見える

みえる (mieru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D

治る

なおる (naoru)
N4 / CEFR

Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

When expressing "be" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "間に合う", "遅れる", "見える", "治る" based on context.
  • 間に合う (まにあう (maniau) - Level: N4): Maps to "to be on time, to make it in time" and is used when Intransitive verb. Used to express arriving at a place or completing something by a specific time. Often used with the particle 'に'..
  • 遅れる (おくれる (okureru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to be late, to be delayed" and is used when Intransitive verb. Used when a person or thing is behind schedule or arrives after the set time. Can also describe a delay in progress..
  • 見える (みえる (mieru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to be visible, to be seen" and is used when Intransitive verb. Indicates that something comes into one's sight, often unintentionally or by natural conditions..
  • 治る (なおる (naoru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to be cured, to get well (intransitive) / to be repaired, to be fixed (intransitive)" and is used when Used for illnesses getting better.
Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!
Context for "間に合う"
電車に間に合うように急ぎました。
I hurried to make it on time for the train.
Context for "遅れる"
電車が10分遅れています。
The train is 10 minutes late.
Context for "見える"
遠くに山が見えます。
I can see a mountain in the distance.
Context for "治る"
風邪が治りました。
My cold got better.

Synonym Mastery Challenge

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "電車に ___ ように急ぎました。" (Meaning: "I hurried to make it on time for the train.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "間に合う" is correct here because it represents "to be on time, to make it in time" in the context: "I hurried to make it on time for the train.".

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