Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "ことし", "今月", "こちら", "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
今月
こんげつ (kongetsu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
こちら
こちら (kochira)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
今ごろ
いまごろ (imagoro)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
今回
こんかい (konkai)
N3 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "this" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "ことし", "今月", "こちら", "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..
- 今月 (こんげつ (kongetsu) - Level: N5): Maps to "this month" and is used when Refers to the current month. Used for plans or events occurring within the present month..
- こちら (こちら (kochira) - Level: N5): Maps to "this way, this place; this person (polite)" and is used when Polite equivalent of これ.
- 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 "今月"
今月は私の誕生日があります。
My birthday is this month.
Context for "こちら"
こちらへどうぞ。 / こちらが私の母です。
Please come this way. / This is my mother.
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.".