JLPT: The Deadly 'Twin' Vocabulary Trap 😱

With over 10 years of experience in Japan and having passed the N1, I've realized that one of the sweetest but most dangerous traps in the JLPT isn't complex grammar, but rather the 'twin' vocabulary pairs—words that look similar but have vastly different meanings.

These are words that you glance at and think you know, but when placed in a question, they cause complete confusion. They're called 紛らわしい言葉 (magirawashii kotoba), or 'deceptively similar words,' and they are a specialty of the 文字・語彙 (Moji-Goi) section.

The Classic Example: The Trio of 納・収・治

All three kanji can be read as 'shuu' and can be part of the verb 'osameru'. Take a look at this question:

税金を（　　）める。

1. 納
2. 収
3. 治

Without a solid grasp of the kanji's essence, you might just guess and lose a valuable point.

🧐 How to Tell Them Apart?

Don't just memorize the meaning; learn the 'soul' of the Kanji:

• 納 (NŌ / osameru): Contains the radical 糸 (thread). Imagine tying something up with a thread to submit or pay it. Used for paying taxes (税金を納める) and delivering goods (品物を納める).
• 収 (SHŪ / osameru): Contains the radical 又 (again/hand). Imagine repeatedly collecting or gathering things into a box or storage. Used for reaping profits (利益を収める), storing items (倉庫に収める), and achieving success (成功を収める).
• 治 (CHI / osameru): Contains the radical 氵(water). Imagine governing a river or a country. Used for ruling a country (国を治める) and curing an illness (病気を治める).

The correct answer for the sentence above is, of course, 1. 納める.

✨ The Golden Tip: Create a 'Rival Profile'

Instead of learning these words individually, create a dedicated notebook or flashcard set specifically for these 'twin' pairs.

1. Group the rivals: Write the entire pair or group on the same card. For example: 抑える vs 押さえる or 関心 vs 感心.
2. Use example sentences: For each word, write a short, defining example sentence.
   • 怒りを抑える (to suppress anger)
   • ドアを押さえる (to hold a door)
3. Learn with imagery: Connect the kanji to its core image, like the analysis above.

🎯 This is a method for deep learning, helping you turn these traps into guaranteed points. Don't let your precious score fall victim to these 'impostors'!

Happy studying! 💪