Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "置く", "入れる", "整える", "仕舞う", "揃える"
All represent the core concept "put", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
置く
おく (oku)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
入れる
いれる (ireru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
整える
ととのえる (totonoeru)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
仕舞う
しまう (shimau)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
揃える
そろえる (soroeru)
N2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "put" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "置く", "入れる", "整える", "仕舞う", "揃える" based on context.
- 置く (おく (oku) - Level: N5): Maps to "to put, to place" and is used when 物をある場所に静かに置くときに使います。Polite form is 置きます.
- 入れる (いれる (ireru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to put in, to insert" and is used when 物を何かの中に入れるときに使います。Polite form is 入れます.
- 整える (ととのえる (totonoeru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to put in order, to arrange, to prepare, to get ready, to adjust" and is used when 乱れたものをきちんと「整理する」、必要なものを「準備する」という意味の他動詞です。/ A transitive verb meaning to 'organize' something messy, or to 'prepare' necessary items..
- 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.
- 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 "置く"
テーブルの上に本を置きます。
I put the book on the table.
Context for "入れる"
コーヒーに砂糖を入れます。
I put sugar in my coffee.
Context for "整える"
出かける前に、身支度を整えた。
I got myself ready before going out.
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 "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: "テーブルの上に本を置きます。" (Meaning: "I put the book on the table.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "置く" is correct here because it represents "to put, to place" in the context: "I put the book on the table.".