Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "とても", "一生懸命", "なかなか", "幼い", "非常に"
All represent the core concept "very", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
とても
とても (totemo)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
一生懸命
いっしょうけんめい (isshoukenmei)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
なかなか
なかなか (nakanaka)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
幼い
おさない (osanai)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
非常に
ひじょうに (hijō ni)
N3 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "very" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "とても", "一生懸命", "なかなか", "幼い", "非常に" based on context.
- とても (とても (totemo) - Level: N5): Maps to "very, extremely" and is used when 形容詞や動詞の程度を強調する副詞です。肯定文でよく使われます。.
- 一生懸命 (いっしょうけんめい (isshoukenmei) - Level: N4): Maps to "very hard, with all one's might, diligently" and is used when An adverb used to express putting maximum effort into something. Often used with verbs like 勉強する.
- なかなか (なかなか (nakanaka) - Level: N3): Maps to "very; considerably; easily (with negative); more than expected" and is used when Refers to a situation being highly considerably, more than expected, or with negative verbs, expresses that something does not happen easily.
- 幼い (おさない (osanai) - Level: N3): Maps to "very young, childish, immature" and is used when Describes someone or something as very young or immature. Can apply to age, appearance, or behavior..
- 非常に (ひじょうに (hijō ni) - Level: N3): Maps to "very, extremely, exceedingly" and is used when An adverb used to express a high degree of something. More formal and stronger than 'とても.
Context for "とても"
この映画はとても面白いです。
This movie is very interesting.
Context for "一生懸命"
彼は一生懸命日本語を勉強しています。
He is studying Japanese very hard.
Context for "なかなか"
システムの初期ローディング遅延のバグ原因は複雑であり、シニアエンジニアであっても_______解決策が見出せませんでした。
Because the cause of the initial loading delay bug of the system was complex, even the senior engineer could not easily find a solution.
Context for "幼い"
彼は見た目は大人だが、考え方がまだ幼い。
He looks like an adult, but his way of thinking is still childish.
Context for "非常に"
この問題は非常に難しいです。
This problem is extremely difficult.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "この映画は ＿＿＿ 面白いです。" (Meaning: "This movie is very interesting.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "とても" is correct here because it represents "very, extremely" in the context: "This movie is very interesting.".