Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "おかず", "脇", "兼業", "肩を持つ"
All represent the core concept "side", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
おかず
おかず (okazu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
脇
わき (waki)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
兼業
けんぎょう (kengyō)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
肩を持つ
かたをもつ (katawomotu)
C1 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "side" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "おかず", "脇", "兼業", "肩を持つ" based on context.
- おかず (おかず (okazu) - Level: N4): Maps to "side dish (to be eaten with rice)" and is used when Refers to any food item that accompanies rice in a Japanese meal, excluding the rice itself, soup, or pickles. It's the main accompaniment to rice..
- 脇 (わき (waki) - Level: N3): Maps to "side; armpit; beside" and is used when Refers to the side of a person's body.
- 兼業 (けんぎょう (kengyō) - Level: N2): Maps to "side job; concurrent post; holding two jobs concurrently" and is used when Refers to having more than one job or profession at the same time. Can be used as 兼業する or 兼業で.
- 肩を持つ (かたをもつ (katawomotu) - Level: C1): Maps to "to side with" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus..
Context for "おかず"
今晩のおかずは魚です。
Tonight's side dish is fish.
Context for "脇"
彼は本の脇にメモを挟んだ。
He put a note beside the book.
Context for "兼業"
彼は本業の傍ら、ライターの兼業をしている。
Besides his main job, he also has a side job as a writer.
Context for "肩を持つ"
毎日、日本語を練習するために肩を持つ。
Every day, I side with to practice Japanese.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "今晩の ＿＿＿ は魚です。" (Meaning: "Tonight's side dish is fish.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "おかず" is correct here because it represents "side dish (to be eaten with rice)" in the context: "Tonight's side dish is fish.".