Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "曇る", "なる", "病気になる", "独立する"
All represent the core concept "become", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
曇る
くもる (kumoru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
なる
なる (naru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
病気になる
びょうきになる (byōki ni naru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
独立する
どくりつする (dokuritsusuru)
N3 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "become" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "曇る", "なる", "病気になる", "独立する" based on context.
- 曇る (くもる (kumoru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to become cloudy, to cloud over" and is used when Describes the sky becoming cloudy. Opposite of 晴れる.
- なる (なる (naru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to become" and is used when An intransitive verb meaning to become or to grow into. Used with nouns.
- 病気になる (びょうきになる (byōki ni naru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to become sick; to get ill" and is used when 「病気」は名詞で、「〜になる」は状態の変化を表す動詞です。健康な状態から病気の状態へ変わることを指します。.
- 独立する (どくりつする (dokuritsusuru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to become independent; to stand alone" and is used when Used when a country gains sovereignty, an individual becomes self-reliant and lives apart from their family, or an organization/unit operates autonomously..
Context for "曇る"
今日は朝から曇っています。
It has been cloudy since this morning.
Context for "なる"
春になると、暖かくなります。
When spring comes, it becomes warm.
Context for "病気になる"
熱があって、病気になりました。
I had a fever and became sick.
Context for "独立する"
彼は大学を卒業後、実家から独立した。
After graduating from university, he became independent from his parents' home.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "今日は朝から曇っています。" (Meaning: "It has been cloudy since this morning.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "曇る" is correct here because it represents "to become cloudy, to cloud over" in the context: "It has been cloudy since this morning.".