Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "来る", "叶う", "綻びる", "かなう"
All represent the core concept "come", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
来る
くる (kuru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
叶う
かなう (kanau)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
綻びる
ほころびる (hokorobiru)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
かなう
かなう (kanau)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "come" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "来る", "叶う", "綻びる", "かなう" based on context.
- 来る (くる (kuru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to come" and is used when Used for movement towards the speaker's location or a specified location. Polite form is 来ます.
- 叶う (かなう (kanau) - Level: N3): Maps to "to come true, to be granted (wish, dream)" and is used when Used exclusively for wishes, dreams, hopes, or prayers being realized or fulfilled. It's the opposite of 夢が破れる.
- 綻びる (ほころびる (hokorobiru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to come open, to fray, to smile (slightly), to blossom (flowers)" and is used when Often used for seams coming undone, clothes fraying, or flowers beginning to open. Can also describe a slight smile..
- かなう (かなう (kanau) - Level: N2): Maps to "to come true (wish); to be realized (dream); to match; to be equal to" and is used when Primarily means for a wish or dream to be fulfilled.
Context for "来る"
明日、彼が家に来ます。
He will come to my house tomorrow.
Context for "叶う"
いつか海外で働くという夢が叶いました。
My dream of working overseas finally came true.
Context for "綻びる"
セーターの袖口が少し綻びてきた。
The cuff of my sweater has started to fray a bit.
Context for "かなう"
彼の長年の夢がついにかなった。
His long-cherished dream finally came true.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "明日、彼が家に来ます。" (Meaning: "He will come to my house tomorrow.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "来る" is correct here because it represents "to come" in the context: "He will come to my house tomorrow.".