Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "とても", "一生懸命", "なかなか", "至って"
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
至って
いたって (itatte)
N3 / CEFR
Quadruple 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", "至って" 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.
- 至って (いたって (itatte) - Level: N3): Maps to "very; extremely; exceedingly" and is used when An adverb used to emphasize a high degree of something, often implying a surprising or unexpected extent. It's a slightly more formal expression 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 "至って"
彼女の態度は至って普通だった。
Her attitude was extremely ordinary.
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.".