Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "着る", "はく", "かける", "履く", "おびる"
All represent the core concept "wear", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
着る
きる (kiru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
はく
はく (haku)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
かける
かける (kakeru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
履く
はく (haku)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
おびる
おびる (obiru)
N2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "wear" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "着る", "はく", "かける", "履く", "おびる" based on context.
- 着る (きる (kiru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to wear (upper body clothing), to put on" and is used when Used specifically for clothing worn on the upper body, such as shirts, jackets, and dresses. The polite form is 着ます.
- はく (はく (haku) - Level: N4): Maps to "to wear, to put on (lower body clothes, shoes)" and is used when Used for clothes worn on the lower body.
- かける (かける (kakeru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to wear, to put on (glasses, certain accessories)" and is used when Used for items like glasses, masks, or scarves that are placed or 'hung' on the face or certain body parts..
- 履く (はく (haku) - Level: N4): Maps to "to wear (items on the lower body: shoes, socks, pants)" and is used when This verb is specifically used for clothing worn on the lower half of the body, such as shoes.
- おびる (おびる (obiru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to wear (a sword, etc.); to carry; to be tinged with; to be charged with; to have" and is used when Can mean physically carrying something.
Context for "着る"
今日は寒いから、厚いセーターを着ます。
It's cold today, so I'll wear a thick sweater.
Context for "はく"
新しい靴をはいて出かけました。
I put on new shoes and went out.
Context for "かける"
私はいつも眼鏡をかけています。
I always wear glasses.
Context for "履く"
新しい靴を履いて出かけました。
I put on my new shoes and went out.
Context for "おびる"
彼はいつも笑顔を帯びている。
He always wears a smile. (He always has a smile on his face.)
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "今日は寒いから、厚いセーターを着ます。" (Meaning: "It's cold today, so I'll wear a thick sweater.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "着る" is correct here because it represents "to wear (upper body clothing), to put on" in the context: "It's cold today, so I'll wear a thick sweater.".