Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "密着", "精査", "肉薄", "手近"
All represent the core concept "close", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
密着
みっちゃく (micchaku)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
精査
せいさ (seisa)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
肉薄
にくはく (nikuhaku)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
手近
てぢか (tejika)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "close" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "密着", "精査", "肉薄", "手近" based on context.
- 密着 (みっちゃく (micchaku) - Level: N3): Maps to "close contact; adhesion; sticking together; coverage/on-the-spot reporting" and is used when Refers to close physical contact, sticking together tightly, or on-the-spot coverage/detailed reporting. Often used as 密着取材.
- 精査 (せいさ (seisa) - Level: N2): Maps to "close examination, careful investigation, scrutiny" and is used when Refers to examining something very carefully and thoroughly, often to find errors or inconsistencies, or to confirm accuracy. Used in formal contexts like auditing, reviewing documents, or scientific analysis..
- 肉薄 (にくはく (nikuhaku) - Level: N2): Maps to "to close in on, to press hard, to nearly catch up with" and is used when Implies approaching someone/something very closely, often with a sense of pursuit, urgency, or intensity. Can be physical.
- 手近 (てぢか (tejika) - Level: N2): Maps to "close at hand, handy, accessible, familiar" and is used when すぐ手の届く範囲にあること、または簡単に利用できること。身近で慣れているという意味でも使われます。.
Context for "密着"
このテープは接着力が極めて高く、ガラスの表面に_______して水漏れを完全に防ぎます。
This tape has extremely high adhesive strength, sticking tightly to the glass surface and completely preventing water leaks.
Context for "精査"
提出された書類を精査する。
We will carefully examine the submitted documents.
Context for "肉薄"
彼はライバルに肉薄し、優勝争いを繰り広げた。
He pressed hard against his rival, engaging in a fierce competition for the championship.
Context for "手近"
手近なもので朝食を済ませた。
I finished breakfast with what I had close at hand.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "このテープは接着力が極めて高く、ガラスの表面に_______して水漏れを完全に防ぎます。" (Meaning: "This tape has extremely high adhesive strength, sticking tightly to the glass surface and completely preventing water leaks.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "密着" is correct here because it represents "close contact; adhesion; sticking together; coverage/on-the-spot reporting" in the context: "This tape has extremely high adhesive strength, sticking tightly to the glass surface and completely preventing water leaks.".