JLPT N5 Vocabulary – Difference between “する” and “やる”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “する” and “やる”
2. “する” and “やる” – Usage
3. Replacing “する” with “やる”
4. Words That Cannot Be Replaced
5. Let’s Compare
6. Summary
7. Similer Articles
8. Comment
Q: Are “する” and “やる” the same?
Do I need to distinguish their usage?
A: “する” broadly expresses general actions or behaviors and is used in both writing and speech. In contrast, “やる” is more colloquial and is used when referring to vague or less specific actions or behaviors. There are cases where they can be substituted, but some expressions cannot be replaced with “やる.” Let’s look at the details.
“する” and “やる” – Usage
[する]
[How it is used]
① To perform an intentional or unintentional action or behavior
② To serve or carry out a certain role or duty
③ To change into a certain state or quality
④ To wear or put on accessories or small items
[Examples]
受験生は毎日、勉強をして宿題をして忙しいです。（①）
The student preparing for an exam studies and does homework every day, so he is very busy.
あの男性は若いのに社長をしています。（②）
That man is young, yet he works as a company president.
氷を水にします。（③）
I turn ice into water.
鈴木さんは青いネクタイをしている人です。（④）
Mr. Suzuki is the person wearing a blue tie.
[やる]
[How it is used]
① Used to emphasize intentional actions or behaviors
② Used to express vague or general actions or behaviors, with a broad range of meanings
[Examples]
さっさと宿題をやってしまおう。（①）
Let’s hurry up and finish the homework.
最近、元気でやってる？（②）
How have you been doing lately?
Replacing “する” with “やる”
“する” and “やる” are often treated as synonyms.
Among the uses of “する,” ① performing intentional or unintentional actions or behaviors and ② serving or carrying out a certain role or duty can generally be replaced with “～やる.”
On the other hand, ③ becoming a certain state or quality and ④ wearing or putting on accessories or small items cannot be replaced with “やる.”
Furthermore, when we look closely at the uses of “する” in ① (intentional or unintentional actions and behaviors) and ② (serving a role), we find similarities with “やる” in ① (emphasizing intentional actions or behaviors) and ② (expressing vague or general actions). In these contexts, “する” and “やる” can sometimes be used interchangeably depending on nuance.
① Performing intentional or unintentional actions or behaviors
■ Words that express everyday actions or activities
運動（を）する (to exercise)／スポーツ名＋（を）する (to play (a sport))／勉強（を）する (to study)／仕事（を）する (to work) etc.
[Examples]
どんな運動をしていますか。
どんな運動をやっていますか。
What kind of exercise do you do?
急いでこの仕事をしてください。
急いでこの仕事をやってください。
Please hurry and do this work.
子供のときから野球をしています。
子供のときから野球をやっています。
I have played baseball since I was a child.
■ When expressing vague or general actions without a specific object
[Examples]
経験のためになんでもしてみたいです。
経験のためになんでもやってみたいです。
I want to try doing anything for the experience.
彼女は、すると決めたらしますよ。
彼女は、やると決めたらやりますよ。
When she decides to do something, she does it.
② To serve or carry out a certain role or duty
■ When the object refers to a position, status, or occupation
[Examples]
この会社の役員をしています。
この会社の役員をやっています。
I work as an executive at this company.
鈴木さんは昔、教師をしていたそうですね。
鈴木さんは昔、教師をやっていたそうですね。
I heard that Mr. Suzuki used to be a teacher.
何か商売でもしてみようかな。
何か商売でもやってみようかな。
I’m thinking about trying some kind of business.
祖母は小さな村で旅館をしています。
祖母は小さな村で旅館をやっています。
My grandmother runs an inn in a small village.
Words That Cannot Be Replaced
Although “する” and “やる” share similar meanings in many cases, there are certain situations where they cannot be used interchangeably.
■ When used with Sino-Japanese compound nouns (“kanji-based noun + する”)
Since “やる” is mainly used for casual, everyday, and spoken actions, it does not combine with kanji-based (Sino-Japanese) nouns.
[Examples] 要求する (to demand), 調査する (to investigate), 料理する (to cook) etc.
■ When expressing unconscious actions (when used as a transitive verb)
“やる” cannot be used for actions that occur unintentionally or without one’s will.
[Examples] あくびをする (to yawn), くしゃみをする (to sneeze), めまいがする (to feel dizzy), etc.
■ When used with onomatopoeic or mimetic expressions
Only “する” can be used with onomatopoeic or mimetic words that express feelings or states.
[Examples] どきどきする (to feel excited or nervous), わくわくする (to feel thrilled), いらいらする (to feel irritated), etc.
[Examples]
〇 しゅみは料理することです。
× しゅみは料理やることです。
My hobby is cooking.
〇 眠くてあくびをしてしまいました。
× 眠くてあくびをやってしまいました。
I was sleepy and ended up yawning.
〇 試験が近くてどきどきします。
× 試験が近くてどきどきやります。
I feel nervous because the exam is coming up.
[Point]
Because “やる” carries a strong nuance of intentional action or concrete physical behavior, it cannot be used with words that describe unconscious actions or psychological states.
Let’s Compare
Both of the following sentences are natural expressions, but they differ in nuance.
[Example]
① さあ、するぞ！
② さあ、やるぞ！
All right, let’s do it!
“やる” focuses more on the action or movement itself than “する,” emphasizing the speaker’s determination and energy.
Therefore, sentence ② conveys a stronger sense of enthusiasm and readiness to take action.
(This corresponds to usage ① of “やる.”)
In addition, when someone successfully accomplishes something, the speaker uses “やる” to praise the achievement or effort behind the action.
Using “する” in such cases sounds unnatural.
[Example] (Coach speaking to the players after they’ve won a match)
〇 よくやったぞ！
× よくしたぞ！
Good job!
Summary
[する]
There are four main uses:
- ① To perform an intentional or unintentional action or behavior
- ② To serve or carry out a certain role or duty
- ③ To become a certain state or take on a certain quality
- ④ To wear or put on accessories or small items
Among these, ③ and ④ cannot be replaced with “やる.”
[やる]
There are two main uses:
- ① Used to emphasize an intentional action or behavior
- ② Used to express vague or general actions or behaviors, with a broad range of meanings
[Comparison between “する” and “やる”]
Among the uses of “する,” ① (performing intentional or unintentional actions or behaviors) can often be replaced with “やる.”
- When expressing daily actions or activities
- When describing vague or general actions without a specific object
- And ② (serving or carrying out a certain role or duty)
However, in the following cases, “する” cannot be replaced with “やる”:
- When used with kanji-based compound nouns (漢語熟語) such as “調査する” or “料理する”
- When expressing unconscious actions as a transitive verb (e.g., “あくびをする”)
- When used with onomatopoeic or mimetic expressions (e.g., “どきどきする,” “わくわくする”)
Similer Articles
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