Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "とても", "大変", "一生懸命", "いとも", "いたって"
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
大変
たいへん (taihen)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
一生懸命
いっしょうけんめい (isshoukenmei)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
いとも
いとも (itomo)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
いたって
いたって (itatte)
N2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "very" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "とても", "大変", "一生懸命", "いとも", "いたって" 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。.
- 大変 (たいへん (taihen) - Level: N4): Maps to "very, terribly; difficult, tough; serious, awful" and is used when Can function as an adverb.
- 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.
- いとも (いとも (itomo) - Level: N2): Maps to "very, extremely (archaic/literary, often used with adjectives like 簡単, 容易, たやすい)" and is used when An old-fashioned or literary adverb emphasizing 'very' or 'exceedingly.' It often adds a sense of ease or simplicity and usually precedes an adjective..
- いたって (いたって (itatte) - Level: N2): Maps to "Very, extremely, to the utmost" and is used when An adverb emphasizing the degree of something, meaning 'extremely' or 'very.' Often used to describe something surprisingly or unexpectedly simple, normal, or good, contrasting with potential expectations..
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 "大変"
日本語の勉強は大変ですが、楽しいです。
Studying Japanese is difficult, but fun.
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 "いとも"
その問題はいとも簡単に解決した。
That problem was solved with extreme ease.
Context for "いたって"
彼の病状はいたって安定している。
His condition is extremely stable.
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.".