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Quintuple VS

Synonym Boundary: "する", "頑張る", "致す", "なさる", "敝蓋不棄"

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

Japanese Option A

する

する (suru)
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

なさる

なさる (nasaru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option E

敝蓋不棄

へいがいふき
C2PLUS / CEFR

Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

When expressing "do" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "する", "頑張る", "致す", "なさる", "敝蓋不棄" based on context.
  • する (する (suru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to do, to make" and is used when A very versatile verb. Polite form is します.
  • 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.
  • なさる (なさる (nasaru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to do (honorific form of する)" and is used when Honorific form of する.
  • 敝蓋不棄 (へいがいふき - Level: C2PLUS): Maps to "do not discard a worn-out lid; a metaphor for valuing old things or long-standing friendships" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C2PLUS vocabulary syllabus..
Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!
Context for "する"
毎日日本語を勉強します。
I study Japanese 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 "なさる"
先生は何をなさいますか。
What will the teacher do?
Context for "敝蓋不棄"
私は敝蓋不棄に興味があります。
I am interested in do not discard a worn-out lid; a metaphor for valuing old things or long-standing friendships.

Synonym Mastery Challenge

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "毎日日本語を勉強します。" (Meaning: "I study Japanese every day.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "する" is correct here because it represents "to do, to make" in the context: "I study Japanese every day.".

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