Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "つけます", "けす", "まがる", "曲がる"
All represent the core concept "turn", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
つけます
つけます (tsukemasu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
けす
けす (kesu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
まがる
まがる (magaru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
曲がる
まがる (magaru)
N4 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "turn" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "つけます", "けす", "まがる", "曲がる" based on context.
- つけます (つけます (tsukemasu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to turn on (a light, power, etc.)" and is used when Transitive verb. Used for switching on electrical appliances, lights, etc. The object is marked with を..
- けす (けす (kesu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to turn off, to erase, to extinguish" and is used when Transitive verb. The opposite of つける.
- まがる (まがる (magaru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to turn, to bend" and is used when Used for roads turning or objects bending. 「曲げる.
- 曲がる (まがる (magaru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to turn, to bend" and is used when To change direction.
Context for "つけます"
テレビをつけます。
I turn on the TV.
Context for "けす"
電気を消してください。
Please turn off the light.
Context for "まがる"
次の角を右に曲がってください。
Please turn right at the next corner.
Context for "曲がる"
次の角を右に曲がってください。
Please turn right at the next corner.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "テレビを ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I turn on the TV.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "つけます" is correct here because it represents "to turn on (a light, power, etc.)" in the context: "I turn on the TV.".