Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "横", "おかず", "脇", "兼業", "肩を持つ"
All represent the core concept "side", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
横
よこ (yoko)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
おかず
おかず (okazu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
脇
わき (waki)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
兼業
けんぎょう (kengyō)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
肩を持つ
かたをもつ (katawomotu)
C1 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "side" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "横", "おかず", "脇", "兼業", "肩を持つ" based on context.
- 横 (よこ (yoko) - Level: N5): Maps to "side; horizontal; width" and is used when Indicates the side of something, or a horizontal direction. Can be used for position.
- 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 "横"
本の横にペンがあります。
There is a pen next to the book.
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: "本の ＿＿＿ にペンがあります。" (Meaning: "There is a pen next to the book.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "横" is correct here because it represents "side; horizontal; width" in the context: "There is a pen next to the book.".