Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "調べる", "見直す", "侮る", "うつむく"
All represent the core concept "look", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
調べる
しらべる (shiraberu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
見直す
みなおす (minaosu)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
侮る
あなどる (anadoru)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
うつむく
うつむく (utsumuku)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "look" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "調べる", "見直す", "侮る", "うつむく" based on context.
- 調べる (しらべる (shiraberu) - Level: N4): Maps to "to look up; to check; to investigate" and is used when Used for looking up information.
- 見直す (みなおす (minaosu) - Level: N3): Maps to "to look over again, to review, to re-examine" and is used when 何かを再度確認したり、改善するために見たりする場合に使う。Used when re-checking something or looking at it again for improvement..
- 侮る (あなどる (anadoru) - Level: N3): Maps to "look down on; underestimate; mock; make light of" and is used when Refers to looking down on someone, underestimating their ability, mocking, or making light of a situation/enemy. Often used as 侮れない.
- うつむく (うつむく (utsumuku) - Level: N2): Maps to "to look down; to cast one's eyes down" and is used when Often associated with shyness, sadness, shame, or deep thought. Physical action of lowering the head..
Context for "調べる"
辞書で言葉の意味を調べました。
I looked up the meaning of the word in the dictionary.
Context for "見直す"
レポートを提出する前にもう一度見直してください。
Please review your report one more time before submitting it.
Context for "侮る"
対戦相手のチームを_______ていたせいで、思わぬ大敗を喫してしまいました。
Because we underestimated the opponent team, we suffered an unexpected major defeat.
Context for "うつむく"
彼女は恥ずかしそうにうつむいた。
She looked down shyly.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "辞書で言葉の意味を調べました。" (Meaning: "I looked up the meaning of the word in the dictionary.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "調べる" is correct here because it represents "to look up; to check; to investigate" in the context: "I looked up the meaning of the word in the dictionary.".