YATABE KumikoMarch 30, 2015
Tsukau (use) and tsukuru (make)

Some Japanese verbs are difficult to distinguish and easy to confuse. But Yatabe sensei has an ingenious way to learn two of these Japanese words. Read this Japanese teacher's blog to learn Japanese for free online.

Tsukau (use) and tsukuru (make)

This Japanese teacher’s blog by YATABE Kumiko sensei is a great way to study natural Japanese expressions. You can read, listen, and learn useful vocabulary from a short essay written in everyday Japanese.


Read Natural Japanese in Context:Tsukau (use) and tsukuru (make)

「使う」と「作る」

日本語を勉強しはじめた皆さんにとって、「使う」と「作る」はとても間違えやすい単語のようです。どちらがuse でどちらが make か、わからなくなってしまう人が多いですね。 何か、これを覚えるための方法がないかと考えました。そして、こんな方法を思いつきました。「つかう」と「つくる」、どちらも始めの字は「つ」ですから、二文字目に注目してください。

「カメラをつかう」(dictionary form) 「カメラをつかいます」(masu form)

use

「クッキーをつくる」(dictionary form) 「クッキーをつくります」(masu form)

make

「カメラ」の「カ」は、「つかう」の「か」です。
「クッキー」の「ク」は、「つくる」の「く」です。

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どうでしょうか? これで、少しでもこの二つの単語が覚えやすくなるといいのですが・・・。もっといいアイディアがあったら、教えてくださいね。

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使つかう」と「つくる」

日本語にほんご勉強べんきょうしはじめたみなさんにとって、「使つかう」と「作(つくる」はとても間違まちがえやすい単語たんごのようです。どちらがuse でどちらが make か、わからなくなってしまうひとおおいですね。 なにか、これをおぼえるための方法ほうほうがないかとかんがえました。そして、こんな方法ほうほうおもいつきました。 「つかう」と「つくる」、どちらもはじめのは「つ」ですから、二文字目にもじめ注目ちゅうもくしてください。

「カメラをつかう」(dictionary form)
「カメラをつかいます」(masu form)

「クッキーをつくる」(dictionary form)
「クッキーをつくります」(masu form)

カメラ」の「カ」は、「つかう」の「か」です。
「クッキー」の「ク」は、「つくる」の「く」です。

どうでしょうか? これで、すこしでもこのふたつの単語たんごおぼえやすくなるといいのですが・・・。もっといいアイディアがあったら、おしえてくださいね。

English Translation for Understanding

It seems that "tsukau" (use) and "tsukuru" (make) are very confusing words for people who have started learning Japanese. Many people are unsure which is "use", which is "make". I have often wondered if there is a good way to learn them. Then I came up with this way. In "tsukau" and "tsukuru", both of the first letters are "tsu", so let's look at the second letters.

I use a camera (kamera in romaji).
I make cookies (kukkii in romaji).

"Ka" for "kamera" is in "tsukau".
"Ku" for "kukkii" is in "tsukuru".

What do you think? I hope it will be easier for you to learn these two words by this at least a little. If you have any better ideas, please let me know :)

This Week’s Key Vocabulary

間違まちがえやすい confusing, easily mistaken

~をおもいつく  come up with, hit on

~に注目ちゅうもくする pay attention to, look at

Meet the Teacher

YATABE Kumiko
YATABE Kumiko
Japanese Language Teacher

Although my Japanese teaching experience has been solely at Japonin(JOI), I have worked with many students over the years.
In 2012, I launched a dedicated listening practice class (now called LRC) to help learners who struggle with listening comprehension due to limited exposure to natural, spoken Japanese. The class has been very well received by many students.

Experience and Qualifications

  • BA, Department of Japanese Painting, Tama Art University
  • Completed the NAFL Japanese Teacher Training Program
  • Passed the Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test

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