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Quintuple VS

Synonym Boundary: "つけます", "けす", "まがる", "消す", "回る"

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

消す

けす (kesu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option E

回る

まわる (mawaru)
N4 / CEFR

Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

When expressing "turn" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "つけます", "けす", "まがる", "消す", "回る" 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.
  • 消す (けす (kesu) - Level: N4): Maps to "to turn off, to erase, to extinguish (transitive)" and is used when A transitive verb meaning to turn something off, erase, or extinguish. It requires an object.
  • 回る (まわる (mawaru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to turn; to revolve; to go around" and is used when An intransitive verb. It describes something spinning on its own axis.
Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!
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 "消す"
部屋を出るときは電気を消してください。
Please turn off the light when you leave the room.
Context for "回る"
地球は太陽の周りを回っています。
The Earth revolves around the sun.

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.".

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