How to say "compare" in Japanese

• 比べるくらべるJLPT N4approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbThe default verb for comparing two or more things to see their similarities or differences. Use it whenever you simply mean 'compare' — comparing prices, people, or results.
  周まわりの人ひと達たちと比くらべると彼かれは本当ほんとうに幸しあわせそうだった。↗

  He looked quite happy in contrast with those around him.
• 照らし合わせるてらしあわせるCommon
  ichidan verb, transitive verbCovers comparing in the sense of checking one thing against another for agreement or consistency, such as comparing a document with the original. It leans toward verification rather than weighing differences.
  君きみらは自みずからの責任せきにんにおいて、自みずからの良心りょうしんに照らし合てらしあわせ、決定けっていを下くださなくてはならない。↗

  You must make decisions about your responsibility in the light of your conscience.
• 比するひするCommon
  suru verb (irregular), transitive verbA formal written word meaning to compare. It is not the everyday choice for 'compare'; in ordinary speech or writing 比べる is what you want, so reserve this for formal, literary contexts.
• 照らすてらすJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers 'compare (with)' in the sense of referring to something as a standard or benchmark when judging something else. Its core senses also include shining light on something, so it is narrower than 比べる.
  君きみの答こたえを彼かれのと照らし合てらしあわせなさい。↗

  Check your answer with his.
• 突き合わせるつきあわせるCommon
  ichidan verb, transitive verbCovers 'compare (with)' in the sense of setting two sets of data or documents side by side to check, match, or tally them. It suits careful, item-by-item comparison rather than general weighing of differences.

Use 「比べる」 for general comparing, 「突き合わせる」 or 「照らし合わせる」 for checking one thing against another, 「照らす」 for referring to something as a standard, and 「比する」 only in formal written comparisons.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 比べるくらべるto compare
• 照らし合わせるてらしあわせるto check
• 比するひするto compare
• 引き比べるひきくらべるto compare
• 述べ合うのべあうto compare (e.g. notes)
• よそえるto compare
• 天秤にかけるてんびんにかけるto weigh (one thing against another)
• 照らすてらすto compare (with)
• 見合わせるみあわせるto contrast
• 突き合わせるつきあわせるto compare (with)
• 引き当てるひきあてるto apply
• 付け合せるつけあわせるto compare
• 引き合わせるひきあわせるto compare
• 見合わすみあわすto contrast
• 徴するちょうするto look for evidence
• 合わせるあわせるto compare
• 合わすあわすto compare
• 見立てるみたてるto liken (to)
• 擬するぎするto compare
• 擬すぎすto compare