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Quintuple VS

Synonym Boundary: "します", "頑張る", "致す", "行う", "〜てしまう"

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

Japanese Option A

します

します (shimasu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B

頑張る

がんばる (ganbaru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C

致す

いたす (itasu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D

行う

おこなう (okonau)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option E

〜てしまう

〜てしまう (te shimau)
N3 / CEFR

Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

When expressing "do" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "します", "頑張る", "致す", "行う", "〜てしまう" based on context.
  • します (します (shimasu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to do, to make, to play (a sport)" and is used when 非常に多用途な動詞です。「〜をします」の形で、行動、スポーツ、仕事など様々な活動を表します。/ A very versatile verb. Used in the form '~をします' to express various activities, sports, or jobs..
  • 頑張る (がんばる (ganbaru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to do one's best, to try hard, to persevere" and is used when A versatile word used to encourage oneself or others to try hard, persist, or endure. Common phrases include 頑張って.
  • 致す (いたす (itasu) - Level: N4): Maps to "to do (humble form of する)" and is used when A very humble verb used for one's own actions. It's the humble equivalent of する.
  • 行う (おこなう (okonau) - Level: N4): Maps to "to do, to conduct, to carry out, to perform" and is used when More formal than する. Typically used for conducting events, ceremonies, research, or official procedures..
  • 〜てしまう (〜てしまう (te shimau) - Level: N3): Maps to "to do completely; to do regrettably/unintentionally" and is used when Expresses either the completion of an action, often implying 'finished doing,' or an action done unintentionally or regrettably. In casual speech, it's often shortened to 〜ちゃう/〜じゃう.
Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!
Context for "します"
毎日宿題をします。
I do my homework every day.
Context for "頑張る"
次の試験のために毎日一生懸命頑張ります。
I will do my best every day for the next exam.
Context for "致す"
明日、私がご説明致します。
I will explain it tomorrow (humble).
Context for "行う"
今日は会議が行われる予定だ。
A meeting is scheduled to be held today.
Context for "〜てしまう"
大事な書類をなくしてしまいました。
I accidentally lost important documents.

Synonym Mastery Challenge

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "毎日宿題を ___ 。" (Meaning: "I do my homework every day.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "します" is correct here because it represents "to do, to make, to play (a sport)" in the context: "I do my homework every day.".

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