Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "なくす", "無くす", "失くす", "負ける", "萎える"
All represent the core concept "lose", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
なくす
なくす (nakusu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
無くす
なくす (nakusu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
失くす
なくす (nakusu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
負ける
まける (makeru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
萎える
なえる (naeru)
N2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "lose" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "なくす", "無くす", "失くす", "負ける", "萎える" based on context.
- なくす (なくす (nakusu) - Level: N4): Maps to "to lose (something)" and is used when Transitive verb. Refers to misplacing an item, making it no longer available to oneself. （物を）見つけられなくする。.
- 無くす (なくす (nakusu) - Level: N4): Maps to "to lose (something)" and is used when A transitive verb meaning 'to lose something'.
- 失くす (なくす (nakusu) - Level: N4): Maps to "to lose (something)" and is used when A transitive verb meaning to unintentionally lose something.
- 負ける (まける (makeru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to lose; to be defeated" and is used when Used when referring to losing in a game, sport, competition, or battle. It can also mean to give in or be outdone..
- 萎える (なえる (naeru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to lose spirit/vigor; to feel discouraged/enervated; to wilt (of plants)" and is used when This verb describes a state of losing strength, energy, or motivation, often due to disappointment, fatigue, or despair. It can refer to a person's spirit/willpower or a plant physically wilting. 「意欲が萎える」「気力が萎える」「花が萎える」のように使われます。.
Context for "なくす"
財布をなくしてしまいました。
I lost my wallet.
Context for "無くす"
大切なパスポートを無くしてしまいました。
I accidentally lost my important passport.
Context for "失くす"
鍵を失くしてしまいました。
I lost my key.
Context for "負ける"
彼はいつもテニスの試合で負けてしまう。
He always loses in tennis matches.
Context for "萎える"
彼のやる気のなさそうな顔を見て、私まで気が萎えてしまった。
Seeing his unmotivated face, even my own spirit withered.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "財布をなくしてしまいました。" (Meaning: "I lost my wallet.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "なくす" is correct here because it represents "to lose (something)" in the context: "I lost my wallet.".