Unlock Japanese Fluency: Master These 3 Advanced Words | 点く, 汚す, 欠く

Unlock Japanese Fluency: Master These 3 Advanced Words | 点く, 汚す, 欠く

Ready to take your Japanese skills to the next level? This post dives deep into three advanced words – '点く' (motsu), '汚す' (yogosu), and '欠く' (kaku) – providing comprehensive explanations, nuanced example sentences using N1/N2 grammar, and helpful synonyms/antonyms. Let's get started!

1. 点く (motsu) - to light up, to be turned on

Explanation: '点く' is a versatile verb depicting the action of something illuminating or activating. Think lights flicking on, a fire catching, or even electronic devices powering up. The kanji itself hints at its meaning: '火' (fire) and '立つ' (to stand) – fire standing tall.

Example Sentence 1: 部屋に入ると、自動的に電気が点いて、心地よい明かりが広がった。その光に包まれながら、私はゆっくりとくつろいだ。(Heya ni hairu to, jidōteki ni denki ga tsuite, kokochiyoi akari ga hirogatta. Sono hikari ni tsutsumarenagara, watashi wa yukkuri to kutsuroida.) - Upon entering the room, the lights switched on automatically, casting a pleasant glow. Enveloped in that light, I leisurely unwound.

Example Sentence 2: 夜道を歩いていると、遠くに点いている灯りの中に、一つだけ明るい星が見えた。その星は、私にとって、希望の兆しのように感じられた。(Yomichi o aruiteiru to, tōku ni tsuiteiru akari no naka ni, hitotsu dake akarui hoshi ga mieta. Sono hoshi wa, watashi ni totte, kibō no kizashi no yō ni kanjirareta.) - Strolling along the night road, I spotted a single brilliant star amidst the distant twinkling lights. That star felt like a beacon of hope to me.

Synonyms: 点灯する (tentō suru) - to turn on (lights), 点火する (tenka suru) - to light (fire)

Antonyms: 消す (kesu) - to turn off, 消える (kieru) - to go out

2. 汚す (yogosu) - to dirty, to soil, to stain

Explanation: '汚す' describes the act of making something unclean. It's a broad term encompassing everything from staining clothes to dirtying hands or sullying a reputation. The kanji combines '汚' (dirty) and '為す' (to do) – doing something that results in dirtiness.

Example Sentence 1: 彼女は、食べ方が汚く、口周りにソースを付けたまま、話をする癖がある。私は、その様子を見て、彼女のマナーの悪さにがっかりした。(Kanojo wa, tabekata ga kitanaku, kuchi mawari ni sōsu o tsuketa mama, hanashi o suru kuse ga aru. Watashi wa, sono yōsu o mite, kanojo no manā no warusa ni gakkari shita.) - She has a habit of eating messily, talking with sauce smeared around her mouth. Seeing this, I was disappointed by her poor manners.

Example Sentence 2: 今日は、家の掃除をするつもりだったが、招待客が来るために、急いで部屋を片付けた。しかし、手を滑らせて、水をこぼしてしまい、床を汚してしまった。(Kyō wa, ie no sōji o suru tsumori datta ga, shōtaikyaku ga kuru tame ni, isogashite heya o katazuketa. Shikashi, te o suberasete, mizu o koboshite shimai, yuka o yogoshite shimatta.) - I intended to clean the house today, but with guests arriving soon, I rushed to tidy up. However, my hand slipped, spilling water and dirtying the floor.

Synonyms: 汚れる (yogoreru) - to become dirty, 汚染する (osen suru) - to contaminate

Antonyms: 綺麗にする (kirei ni suru) - to clean, 洗う (arau) - to wash

3. 欠く (kaku) - to lack, to be missing

Explanation: '欠く' signifies the state of something being insufficient or absent. It applies to tangible things like money or time, and abstract concepts like skills or qualities. The kanji, '欠' (lack) and '立つ' (to stand), paint a picture of standing with a noticeable absence.

Example Sentence 1: 私は、語学力に自信があったが、その後、日本語の読み書きに欠けていることに気づいた。そこで、毎日練習をして、日本語を上達させるように努めた。(Watashi wa, gogakuryoku ni jishin ga atta ga, sonogo, nihongo no yomikaki ni kaketeiru koto ni kidzuita. Soko de, mainichi renshū o shite, nihongo o jōtatsu saseru yō ni tsutometa.) - I was confident in my language abilities, but then I realized I was lacking in Japanese reading and writing. Therefore, I diligently practiced daily, striving to improve my Japanese.

Example Sentence 2: 今回の旅行では、時間に余裕があったが、お金に欠けていた。しかし、私たちは、地元の人たちに教えてもらった、安くて美味しい食べ物を食べたり、無料の観光スポットを巡ったりして、楽しい時間を過ごすことができた。(Konkai no ryokō de wa, jikan ni yoyū ga atta ga, okane ni kaketeita. Shikashi, watashitachi wa, jimoto no hitotachi ni oshiete moratta, yasukute oishī tabemono o tabetari, muryō no kankō supotto o meguttari shite, tanoshī jikan o sugosu koto ga dekita.) - We had ample time on this trip, but were short on money. However, we had a wonderful time enjoying affordable, delicious food recommended by locals and exploring free tourist attractions.

Synonyms: 不足する (fusoku suru) - to be insufficient, 欠乏する (ketsubō suru) - to be in shortage

Antonyms: 満たす (mitasu) - to fulfill, 備える (sonaeru) - to be equipped with