Yaru and Suru

[KeithH]

Could someone please explain the difference between them? I feel like I've heard yaru used more in colloquial expressions and of course suru being used to create noun+suru verbs. Does anyone have additional insight? Thanks!

[Jason]

Both "suru" and "yaru" mean "to do." "Yaru" can also mean "to give (to someone/thing lower than yourself). There are 2 big differences between them:

1) You can't use "yaru" in place of "suru" for "noun+suru" verbs.
2) Some Japanese people consider "yaru" to be quite rude/vulgar. This seems to differ quite a bit from person to person though. When in doubt, use "suru."

[Bucko]

Here's a good explanation:

http://nihongo.3yen.com/2005-04-21/diff ... tween-and/

[Bueller_007]

Here's a good explanation:

http://nihongo.3yen.com/2005-04-21/diff ... tween-and/

That's a pretty good explanation, yes.

One thing that is missing is this:
やる can mean "to send someone/something to a far-off place":
息子を戦場へやる ("to send one's son to war")


One other (X-rated) point to remember is that やる can also mean "to do" in the same sexual sense as the English "to do".

Like the line from "Kill Bill" where the old pervert is talking to Gogo Yubari before he gets gutted. It's something like:

あたし、やりたいの？ ("Do you want to do me?")
ええ、やりたい。("Yes. I do.")

You can't use "suru" like this.


But generally, "suru" is much more flexible than "yaru" and when it doubt, that's definitely what you should be using.

[Bucko]

One thing that is missing is this:
やる can mean "to send someone/something to a far-off place":
息子を戦場へやる ("to send one's son to war")

Thanks for this. I'm just writing a report about the Italian movie 'Life is Beautiful', now I can use this word to describe how the people were sent to the prison camp. I hope it's correct!

[Bueller_007]

One thing that is missing is this:
やる can mean "to send someone/something to a far-off place":
息子を戦場へやる ("to send one's son to war")

Thanks for this. I'm just writing a report about the Italian movie 'Life is Beautiful', now I can use this word to describe how the people were sent to the prison camp. I hope it's correct!

I'm not sure if やる is the kind of word you would use in a report. Even in this case. And, again, I'm not sure, but it might imply rightful ownership of the prisoners by the (Nazis?) (I haven't seen the movie.)

You might want to try 送る.

I'm not sure the proper word to use in this case, really.

In any case, you should probably be using the passive voice, which sounds more sympathetic towards the victims.

[Bucko]

I'm not sure if やる is the kind of word you would use in a report. Even in this case. And, again, I'm not sure, but it might imply rightful ownership of the prisoners by the (Nazis?) (I haven't seen the movie.)

You might want to try 送る.

I'm not sure the proper word to use in this case, really.

In any case, you should probably be using the passive voice, which sounds more sympathetic towards the victims.

Well I lied when I said it was a report. It's just a journal entry where I wrote a 'report' (i.e. a review) about that movie, which my Japanese teacher corrects. I thought about using the passive voice too, but since I haven't formally studied it yet I thought I'd just leave it out and see what my teacher says.

[Bueller_007]

I'm not sure if やる is the kind of word you would use in a report. Even in this case. And, again, I'm not sure, but it might imply rightful ownership of the prisoners by the (Nazis?) (I haven't seen the movie.)

You might want to try 送る.

I'm not sure the proper word to use in this case, really.

In any case, you should probably be using the passive voice, which sounds more sympathetic towards the victims.

Well I lied when I said it was a report. It's just a journal entry where I wrote a 'report' (i.e. a review) about that movie, which my Japanese teacher corrects. I thought about using the passive voice too, but since I haven't formally studied it yet I thought I'd just leave it out and see what my teacher says.

Wicked good.

Try やる then. I'm eager to know if it can be used in this case.

[henway]

No one points out yaru is also used for "to feed" something or an animal.

You feed your pet with yaru and water your plants with yaru. I can only assume you fertilize with yaru.

It has to be to used on something non-human, so if applied to a human it is specifically debasing them.

[Jason]

Well, all that falls under "to give."

[Bueller_007]

It has to be to used on something non-human, so if applied to a human it is specifically debasing them.

That's not true. You use やる when you say that you're giving a child. You also use it when you want somebody to give something to you.

I think Jason's post covered all this.