Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "つけます", "消します", "けす", "消す"
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
消します
けします (keshimasu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
けす
けす (kesu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
消す
けす (kesu)
N4 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "turn" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "つけます", "消します", "けす", "消す" 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..
- 消します (けします (keshimasu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to turn off, to erase" and is used when Transitive verb. Used for switching off electrical appliances or erasing something.
- 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.
- 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.
Context for "つけます"
テレビをつけます。
I turn on the TV.
Context for "消します"
電灯を消します。
I turn off the light.
Context for "けす"
電気を消してください。
Please turn off the light.
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.
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.".