Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "置く", "被る", "整える", "仕舞う", "挟む"
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
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
挟む
はさむ (hasamu)
B2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "put" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "置く", "被る", "整える", "仕舞う", "挟む" 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.
- 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.
- 挟む (はさむ (hasamu) - Level: B2): Maps to "to put between, to pinch" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR B2 vocabulary syllabus..
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 "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 "挟む"
毎日、日本語を練習するために挟む。
Every day, I put between, to pinch to practice Japanese.
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.".