Similar but different! How to use “十分／充分” and “さびしい／さみしい” correctly
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “十分” and “充分“
2. Difference between “さびしい” and “さみしい”
3. Summary
4. Similer Articles
5. Comment
Q: Is there a difference between “十分” and “充分”?
A: Both are read as “じゅうぶん” and their meanings are almost the same, but there is a slight difference in usage and nuance. The details are explained below.
十分・充分 (JLPT N4)
[①十分]
[Part of Speech] Noun
[Meaning] To divide into ten equal parts
[Examples]
給料の十分の一は、毎月貯金するようにしているんです。
I try to save one tenth of my salary every month.
お土産を十分にして配りました。
I divided the souvenirs into ten equal parts and handed them out.
[②十分・充分]
[Part of Speech] な adjective
[Meaning] A state of being sufficient, complete, and without lack
[Examples]
病気になったので十分な休養をとることにしました。
I decided to get plenty of rest because I was sick.
彼は充分な能力を持っています。
He has sufficient ability.
[③十分・充分]
[Part of Speech] Adverb
[Meaning 1] To have no regrets / nothing left behind
[Examples]
充分に楽しんだよ。
I enjoyed it enough.
十分、気をつけてください。
Please be very careful.
[Part of Speech] Adverb
[Meaning 2] To have as much as needed
[Examples]
バッテリーはまだ充分あるよ。
The battery still has enough power.
古いけどまだ十分使えるよ。
It’s old, but it still works.
[Part of Speech] Adverb
[Meaning 3] A state where there is more than enough in amount or time
[Examples]
その町まで車でも1時間は十分にかかるでしょう。
It will take a good hour to get to that town by car.
見た感じ、ここまで1キロは十分にあるんじゃない。
It seems to be about one kilometer to here.
“じゅうぶん” has several meanings, but except for ① (“to divide into ten parts”), there is no major difference in meaning between using 十分 and 充分. However, there is a slight nuance depending on which kanji is used.
• 十分: The character “十” expresses something being satisfied in an objective, numerical, or physical sense.
• 充分: The character “充” means “to be filled,” and it expresses something being satisfied in a subjective or emotional sense.
Therefore, when you want to include the speaker’s feelings or personal sense of satisfaction, it is more natural to use 充分.
[Examples]
A: 料理は足りていますか。
① B: はい、十分です。
② B: はい、充分です。
A: Is there enough food?
① B: Yes, it’s enough.
② B: Yes, I’m satisfied.
① shows an objective meaning: “There is enough in quantity.”
② shows a subjective nuance: “I feel full or satisfied with that amount.”
Q: Is there a difference between “さびしい” and “さみしい”?
A: They both have the same meaning, but the nuance changes a little depending on the situation. “さびしい”…
さびしい・さみしい (JLPT N5)
[さびしい]
[Meaning]
① Feeling lonely or insecure when alone, a sense of solitude
② A feeling of emptiness or lack of fulfillment
③ A scene or atmosphere that is quiet because there are no people
[Examples]
一人暮らしは寂しいです。（①）
Living alone is lonely.
ちょっと口が寂しいから、おやつでも食べようかな。（②）
I want something to nibble on, so I’ll have a snack.
昔はにぎやかでしたが、今は寂しい商店街ですね。（③）
It used to be lively, but now this shopping street is lonely.
[さみしい]
[Meaning]
A feeling of insecurity and emptiness, closely tied to one’s personal emotions.
[Examples]
一人暮らしを始めてさみしいです。
I feel lonely after starting to live alone.
妻を亡くしてさみしい毎日です。
I feel lonely every day after losing my wife.
“さびしい” and “さみしい” both mean “lonely,” but there is a difference in perspective.
さびしい: An objective expression. Often used to describe quiet spaces, scenery, or situations.
さみしい: A subjective expression. Used when expressing strong feelings of loneliness or sadness.
[Examples]
一人で買い物に行くのはさみしいから、友達でも誘おうかな。
Going shopping alone feels lonely, so maybe I’ll invite a friend.
⇒ Subjective: shows the feeling that “being with someone is more fun than being alone.”
日本に来てから国の家族にも友達にも会えなくて、さびしいです。
Since coming to Japan, I haven’t been able to see my family or friends back home, and I feel lonely.
⇒ Objective: expresses the feeling of solitude, as if tears are about to come out.
Summary
“十分” and “充分”
- 十分: An objective expression. Used to show that something is “sufficient” in a numerical or physical sense.
- 充分: A subjective expression. Used to show that something is “sufficient” in an emotional or spiritual sense.
“さびしい” and “さみしい”
- さびしい: An objective expression. Can describe not only feelings but also quiet spaces or scenes.
- さみしい: A subjective expression. Used when one feels strong loneliness or sadness, to the point of tears.
Similer Articles
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