Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "調べる", "見直す", "侮る", "顧みる", "見返す"
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
顧みる
かえりみる (kaerimiru)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
見返す
みかえす (mikaesu)
N2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "look" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "調べる", "見直す", "侮る", "顧みる", "見返す" 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.
- 顧みる (かえりみる (kaerimiru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to look back (on the past), to reflect, to review, to consider (one's duty/self)" and is used when 過去の出来事や自分の行いを振り返って考えること。反省や回想の意味合いが強い。また、周囲の状況や人のことを気にかける、という意味でも使う。To look back and reflect on past events or one's own actions, with a strong connotation of introspection or reminiscence. Can also mean to care about surrounding circumstances or people..
- 見返す (みかえす (mikaesu) - Level: N2): Maps to "to look back at; to give someone a look back; to get revenge/prove oneself right (often after being looked down upon)" and is used when Can mean to look back at something or someone, or more often, to prove one's worth or get back at someone who underestimated you through success..
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 "顧みる"
自分の過去の行動を顧みて反省した。
I reflected on my past actions and regretted them.
Context for "見返す"
彼は自分を馬鹿にした人たちを見返すために、一生懸命努力した。
He worked hard to prove himself to those who had made fun of him.
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.".