Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "勤める", "作品", "息が合う", "仕掛品"
All represent the core concept "work", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
勤める
つとめる (tsutomeru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
作品
さくひん (sakuhin)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
息が合う
いきがあう (ikigaau)
B2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
仕掛品
しかかりひん (shikakarihin)
C2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "work" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "勤める", "作品", "息が合う", "仕掛品" based on context.
- 勤める (つとめる (tsutomeru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to work for; to be employed at; to serve" and is used when This verb specifically means 'to be employed at' or 'to work for' a company, organization, or in a specific role. It emphasizes the act of serving or being engaged in a profession, often used with the particle に or で. It differs from 働く.
- 作品 (さくひん (sakuhin) - Level: N3): Maps to "work (of art, literature, etc.), creation" and is used when Refers to something created by an artist, writer, musician, craftsman, etc., such as a painting, novel, film, or piece of music. It carries a sense of artistic or creative merit..
- 息が合う (いきがあう (ikigaau) - Level: B2): Maps to "to work well together" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR B2 vocabulary syllabus..
- 仕掛品 (しかかりひん (shikakarihin) - Level: C2): Maps to "work in process (WIP)" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus..
Context for "勤める"
彼は銀行に勤めています。
He works for a bank.
Context for "作品"
この美術館には有名な画家の作品がたくさんあります。
This museum has many works by famous painters.
Context for "息が合う"
毎日、日本語を練習するために息が合う。
Every day, I work well together to practice Japanese.
Context for "仕掛品"
私は仕掛品に興味があります。
I am interested in work in process (WIP).
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼は銀行に勤めています。" (Meaning: "He works for a bank.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "勤める" is correct here because it represents "to work for; to be employed at; to serve" in the context: "He works for a bank.".