Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "ことし", "今年", "今ごろ", "今回"
All represent the core concept "this", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
ことし
ことし (kotoshi)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
今年
ことし (kotoshi)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
今ごろ
いまごろ (imagoro)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
今回
こんかい (konkai)
N3 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "this" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "ことし", "今年", "今ごろ", "今回" based on context.
- ことし (ことし (kotoshi) - Level: N5): Maps to "this year" and is used when Refers to the current year. Often used as a noun indicating a specific time..
- 今年 (ことし (kotoshi) - Level: N5): Maps to "this year" and is used when Common term for the current year. Used frequently in conversations and writing..
- 今ごろ (いまごろ (imagoro) - Level: N3): Maps to "about this time; around now; by now" and is used when Refers to a time point that is 'around now' or 'around that time'.
- 今回 (こんかい (konkai) - Level: N3): Maps to "this time" and is used when Refers to the current occasion or instance, distinguishing it from previous or future occasions. Often used to set the context for a specific event or action..
Context for "ことし"
ことしは日本へ行きます。
I will go to Japan this year.
Context for "今年"
今年は日本に行きます。
I will go to Japan this year.
Context for "今ごろ"
今ごろ彼は家に帰っているはずだ。
He should be home by now.
Context for "今回"
今回の試験は前回より難しかった。
This exam was more difficult than the last one.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: " ＿＿＿ は日本へ行きます。" (Meaning: "I will go to Japan this year.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "ことし" is correct here because it represents "this year" in the context: "I will go to Japan this year.".