What is the difference between "パソコン", "個人的な", "個人的", "人脈", "身だしなみ"?

"パソコン" means "personal computer", "個人的な" means "personal, individual", "個人的" means "personal, individual", "人脈" means "personal connections; network of contacts; human network", "身だしなみ" means "personal appearance, grooming, deportment".

Quintuple VS

Synonym Boundary: "パソコン", "個人的な", "個人的", "人脈", "身だしなみ"

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

Japanese Option A

パソコン

パソコン (pasokon)

N5 / CEFR

Japanese Option B

個人的な

こじんてきな (kojinteki na)

N3 / CEFR

Japanese Option C

個人的

こじんてき (kojinteki)

N3 / CEFR

Japanese Option D

人脈

じんみゃく (jinmyaku)

N2 / CEFR

Japanese Option E

身だしなみ

みだしなみ (midashinami)

N2 / CEFR

Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

When expressing "personal" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "パソコン", "個人的な", "個人的", "人脈", "身だしなみ" based on context.

パソコン (パソコン (pasokon) - Level: N5): Maps to "personal computer" and is used when A common abbreviation of 'personal computer'.
個人的な (こじんてきな (kojinteki na) - Level: N3): Maps to "personal, individual" and is used when Adjectival noun.
個人的 (こじんてき (kojinteki) - Level: N3): Maps to "personal, individual" and is used when Often used to describe something belonging to or relating to a specific person, or from a personal viewpoint. It's an な-adjective.
人脈 (じんみゃく (jinmyaku) - Level: N2): Maps to "personal connections; network of contacts; human network" and is used when Refers to a network of people one knows and can rely on for help or information, especially in professional or social contexts. 仕事や生活に役立つ人間関係のつながりを指します。.
身だしなみ (みだしなみ (midashinami) - Level: N2): Maps to "personal appearance, grooming, deportment" and is used when Refers to neatness, tidiness, and appropriateness of one's appearance, especially in a social or professional context. It implies conscious effort to maintain a presentable look..

Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!

Context for "パソコン"

パソコンで仕事をします。

I work on my computer.

Context for "個人的な"

それは個人的な意見です。

That is a personal opinion.

Context for "個人的"

これは私の個人的な意見です。

This is my personal opinion.

Context for "人脈"

彼は豊富な人脈を持っている。

He has an extensive network of contacts.

Context for "身だしなみ"

社会人として、身だしなみは大切だ。

As a working adult, personal appearance is important.

Synonym Mastery Challenge

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: " ＿＿＿で仕事をします。" (Meaning: "I work on my computer.")

🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "パソコン" is correct here because it represents "personal computer" in the context: "I work on my computer.".