Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "動く", "移る", "移す", "移動する", "引越す"
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
移す
うつす (utsusu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
移動する
いどうする (idou suru)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
引越す
ひっこす (hikkosu)
N3 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "move" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "動く", "移る", "移す", "移動する", "引越す" 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..
- 移す (うつす (utsusu) - Level: N4): Maps to "to move (something); to transfer; to infect" and is used when This is a transitive verb. It means to physically move an object, to transfer something.
- 移動する (いどうする (idou suru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to move, to transfer" and is used when Refers to movement from one place to another, often of people or objects. More formal than 「動く.
- 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..
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 "移す"
机を窓の近くに移しました。
I moved the desk near the window.
Context for "移動する"
次の会議室に移動してください。
Please move to the next meeting room.
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.
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.".