synonym Comparative
差し控える
VS
食い止める
Differences Between "差し控える" and "食い止める"
Option A
差し控える
Meaning
to refrain from; to hold back from; to abstain from
Reading
さしひかえる (sashihikaeru)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
個人的な質問にはお答えを差し控えさせていただきます。
I must refrain from answering personal questions.
Option B
食い止める
Meaning
to check, to hold back, to prevent from spreading/advancing
Reading
くいとめる (kuitomeru)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
消防士たちは火事の延焼を必死に食い止めた。
The firefighters desperately checked the spread of the fire.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(to refrain from; to hold back from; to abstain from)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 差し控える: A formal expression meaning to voluntarily hold back from doing or saying something, often out of politeness, prudence, or a sense of duty. More formal than '控える'.
- 食い止める: To stop something negative (e.g., damage, fire, progress of an enemy, spread of disease) from continuing, advancing, or getting worse. Implies active intervention.
- 差し控える: A formal expression meaning to voluntarily hold back from doing or saying something, often out of politeness, prudence, or a sense of duty. More formal than '控える'.
- 食い止める: To stop something negative (e.g., damage, fire, progress of an enemy, spread of disease) from continuing, advancing, or getting worse. Implies active intervention.
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