間に合う vs 間に合せる
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 間に合う
Listen to 間に合せる
| 間に合う | 間に合せる |
|---|---|
ma-NI-au verb | maniawaseru verb |
| to be in time; to make it in time; to arrive or finish before a deadline | to make do in time; to manage with something on hand |
How they differ
This word means “to get by” or “to use something as a temporary substitute,” not simply “to arrive or finish before a deadline.” It focuses on making a solution work with what is available, rather than on being punctual or finishing on time.
When to use each
When to use 間に合う: Use 間に合う when you mean that someone or something arrives, finishes, or is completed before the deadline.
When to use 間に合せる: Use 間に合せる when you mean to improvise and use something as a stopgap or to make do with existing resources.
Side-by-side examples
- 電車に間に合った。
(I made it to the train in time.) - とりあえず手元の材料で間に合せた。
(For the time being, I made do with the materials I had on hand.)
Register & nuance: 間に合う is very common and neutral, while 間に合せる is more specific and often used in practical, everyday contexts.