Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "運ぶ", "携える", "担ぐ", "担う"
All represent the core concept "carry", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
運ぶ
はこぶ (hakobu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
携える
たずさえる (tazusaeru)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
担ぐ
かつぐ (katsugu)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
担う
になう (ninau)
C1 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "carry" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "運ぶ", "携える", "担ぐ", "担う" based on context.
- 運ぶ (はこぶ (hakobu) - Level: N4): Maps to "to carry, to transport" and is used when Refers to moving items from one place to another, often implying effort or a larger quantity/size than 持って行く. 物を移動させる。.
- 携える (たずさえる (tazusaeru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to carry (in one's hand), to take along, to be accompanied by" and is used when 物や人を一緒に連れて行く、または手に持って行く際に使う。物理的なものだけでなく、計画や責任などを「携える」という比喩的な使い方もできる。Used when carrying an object or bringing a person along. Can also be used metaphorically for carrying a plan or responsibility..
- 担ぐ (かつぐ (katsugu) - Level: N2): Maps to "to carry on one's shoulders; to shoulder; to hoist" and is used when Primarily refers to carrying something heavy on one's shoulders or back. Can also colloquially mean to trick someone or to elect someone..
- 担う (になう (ninau) - Level: C1): Maps to "to carry, to bear" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus..
Context for "運ぶ"
この大きな荷物を一人で運ぶのは大変だ。
It's hard to carry this large luggage alone.
Context for "携える"
彼はいつも辞書を携えて旅行する。
He always travels carrying a dictionary.
Context for "担ぐ"
祭りで、みんなでお神輿を担いだ。
At the festival, everyone shouldered the portable shrine.
Context for "担う"
毎日、日本語を練習するために担う。
Every day, I carry, to bear to practice Japanese.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "この大きな荷物を一人で ＿＿＿ のは大変だ。" (Meaning: "It's hard to carry this large luggage alone.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "運ぶ" is correct here because it represents "to carry, to transport" in the context: "It's hard to carry this large luggage alone.".