Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "大変", "一生懸命", "非常に", "いとも", "いたって"
All represent the core concept "very", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
大変
たいへん (taihen)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
一生懸命
いっしょうけんめい (isshoukenmei)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
非常に
ひじょうに (hijō ni)
N3 / 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 "大変", "一生懸命", "非常に", "いとも", "いたって" based on context.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 "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 "非常に"
この問題は非常に難しいです。
This problem is extremely difficult.
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: "日本語の勉強は ＿＿＿ ですが、楽しいです。" (Meaning: "Studying Japanese is difficult, but fun.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "大変" is correct here because it represents "very, terribly; difficult, tough; serious, awful" in the context: "Studying Japanese is difficult, but fun.".