synonym Comparative
凝らす
VS
けむに巻く
Differences Between "凝らす" and "けむに巻く"
Option A
凝らす
Meaning
to concentrate, to strain (eyes), to elaborate, to devise (something with ingenuity)
Reading
こらす (korasu)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
暗闇の中で目を凝らして、遠くの景色を見た。
I strained my eyes in the darkness to see the distant scenery.
Option B
けむに巻く
Meaning
to pull the wool over someone's eyes; to deceive; to mislead; to confuse
Reading
けむにまく (kemunimaku)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
彼は質問にはっきり答えず、けむに巻くのが得意だ。
He's good at confusing people by not answering questions clearly.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(to concentrate, to strain (eyes), to elaborate, to devise (something with ingenuity))"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 凝らす: To focus intently or with great effort on something, often involving detailed thought or physical straining (e.g., eyes). よく工夫を凝らす、目を凝らす、趣向を凝らすといった形で使われる。
- けむに巻く: An idiom meaning to intentionally confuse or mislead someone, often by speaking vaguely, changing the subject, or presenting a confusing array of facts, so that they cannot grasp the truth or question effectively. Lit. 'to wrap in smoke.'
- 凝らす: To focus intently or with great effort on something, often involving detailed thought or physical straining (e.g., eyes). よく工夫を凝らす、目を凝らす、趣向を凝らすといった形で使われる。
- けむに巻く: An idiom meaning to intentionally confuse or mislead someone, often by speaking vaguely, changing the subject, or presenting a confusing array of facts, so that they cannot grasp the truth or question effectively. Lit. 'to wrap in smoke.'
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