Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "無くす", "失くす", "痩せる", "萎える"
All represent the core concept "lose", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
無くす
なくす (nakusu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
失くす
なくす (nakusu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
痩せる
やせる (yaseru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
萎える
なえる (naeru)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "lose" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "無くす", "失くす", "痩せる", "萎える" based on context.
- 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.
- 痩せる (やせる (yaseru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to lose weight, to get thin" and is used when Used to describe losing body weight or getting thin. It can be intentional.
- 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 "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 "痩せる"
毎日運動して、少し痩せました。
I exercised every day and lost a little weight.
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: "大切なパスポートを無くしてしまいました。" (Meaning: "I accidentally lost my important passport.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "無くす" is correct here because it represents "to lose (something)" in the context: "I accidentally lost my important passport.".