Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "ことし", "今週", "こちら", "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
今週
こんしゅう (konshuu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
こちら
こちら (kochira)
N5 / 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", "今週", "こちら", "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..
- 今週 (こんしゅう (konshuu) - Level: N5): Maps to "this week" and is used when Refers to the current week. Often used to talk about plans or events happening within the present week..
- 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 "今週"
今週の週末は映画を見に行きます。
I'm going to see a movie this weekend.
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.".