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Quintuple VS

Synonym Boundary: "動く", "移る", "動かす", "引越す", "一手"

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

Japanese Option A

動く

うごく (ugoku)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B

移る

うつる (utsuru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C

動かす

うごかす (ugokasu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D

引越す

ひっこす (hikkosu)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option E

一手

いって (itte)
N2 / CEFR

Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

When expressing "move" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "動く", "移る", "動かす", "引越す", "一手" based on context.
  • 動く (うごく (ugoku) - Level: N4): Maps to "to move" and is used when Refers to something or someone changing position, functioning, or operating. Can be intransitive.
  • 移る (うつる (utsuru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to move (to a different place), to transfer, to spread (e.g., disease)" and is used when Intransitive verb. Used when something moves or changes location/state on its own. Can also mean an illness spreading..
  • 動かす (うごかす (ugokasu) - Level: N4): Maps to "to move, to operate (transitive)" and is used when To cause something to move or to operate a machine. It requires a subject performing the action on an object..
  • 引越す (ひっこす (hikkosu) - Level: N3): Maps to "to move (house); to change residence (verb)" and is used when The verb form of moving house. Implies the action of changing one's residence..
  • 一手 (いって (itte) - Level: N2): Maps to "(1) a move (in board games), (2) the only way/method, a strategy" and is used when Can refer to a single move in board games like Go or Shogi. More broadly, it means the only effective way or strategy to deal with a situation, often as a last resort. 状況を打開するための唯一の手段や方策を指すことが多いです。.
Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!
Context for "動く"
この機械はもう動きません。
This machine doesn't move anymore.
Context for "移る"
会社が大阪に本社を移る。
The company's head office is moving to Osaka.
Context for "動かす"
この機械は指で簡単に動かせます。
You can easily operate this machine with your finger.
Context for "引越す"
来週末、東京に引越す予定です。
I plan to move to Tokyo next weekend.
Context for "一手"
これが状況を打開する唯一の一手だ。
This is the only move/method to break through the situation.

Synonym Mastery Challenge

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "この機械はもう動きません。" (Meaning: "This machine doesn't move anymore.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "動く" is correct here because it represents "to move" in the context: "This machine doesn't move anymore.".

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