Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "置く", "被る", "掲げる", "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
被る
かぶる (kaburu)
N4 / 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 "置く", "被る", "掲げる", "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.
- 被る (かぶる (kaburu) - Level: N4): Maps to "to put on (a hat, helmet, etc.), to wear over one's head" and is used when Specifically used for items worn on the head.
- 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 "置く"
テーブルの上に本を置きます。
I put the book on the table.
Context for "被る"
寒いので、帽子を被りました。
It was cold, so I put on a hat.
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: "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.".