Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "とても", "大変", "幼い", "いとも"
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
幼い
おさない (osanai)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
いとも
いとも (itomo)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "very" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "とても", "大変", "幼い", "いとも" 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.
- 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..
- 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..
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 "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 "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.
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.".