Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "移る", "動かす", "引っ越しする", "移す", "移動する"
All represent the core concept "move", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
移る
うつる (utsuru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
動かす
うごかす (ugokasu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
引っ越しする
ひっこしする (hikkoshi suru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
移す
うつす (utsusu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
移動する
いどうする (idou suru)
N3 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "move" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "移る", "動かす", "引っ越しする", "移す", "移動する" based on context.
- 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..
- 引っ越しする (ひっこしする (hikkoshi suru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to move (house/residence)" and is used when Used when changing residences. Often followed by 'に' for the destination or 'から' for the origin. The 'する' makes it a verb..
- 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.
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 "引っ越しする"
来月、新しいアパートに引っ越しします。
I will move to a new apartment next month.
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.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "会社が大阪に本社を ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "The company's head office is moving to Osaka.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "移る" is correct here because it represents "to move (to a different place), to transfer, to spread (e.g., disease)" in the context: "The company's head office is moving to Osaka.".