Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "置きます", "仕舞う", "掲げる", "揃える"
All represent the core concept "put", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
置きます
おきます (okimasu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
仕舞う
しまう (shimau)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
掲げる
かかげる (kakageru)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
揃える
そろえる (soroeru)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "put" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "置きます", "仕舞う", "掲げる", "揃える" based on context.
- 置きます (おきます (okimasu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to put, to place" and is used when Polite form of 置く.
- 仕舞う (しまう (shimau) - Level: N3): Maps to "to put away, to finish, to store, to close (a shop)" and is used when As a main verb, it primarily means to put something away in its designated place or to finish an activity/close a business. As an auxiliary verb.
- 掲げる (かかげる (kakageru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to put up (a notice), to display, to hoist (a flag), to set up (a goal)" and is used when Used for displaying something publicly or formally, or for setting a high goal/ideal..
- 揃える (そろえる (soroeru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to put in order, to arrange, to make uniform, to gather (transitive)" and is used when Transitive verb. Refers to intentionally gathering, arranging, or making things uniform..
Context for "置きます"
机の上に本を置きます。
I put the book on the desk.
Context for "仕舞う"
使ったおもちゃを箱に仕舞った。
I put away the toys I used into the box.
Context for "掲げる"
彼は高い目標を掲げて日々の仕事に取り組んでいる。
He sets high goals and works on his daily tasks.
Context for "揃える"
彼は机の上の書類をきれいに揃えた。
He neatly arranged the documents on the desk.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "机の上に本を ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I put the book on the desk.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "置きます" is correct here because it represents "to put, to place" in the context: "I put the book on the desk.".