Yaru vs Suru: What’s the Difference in Japanese?

The Crucial Difference Every Japanese Learner Needs to Know

Have you ever found yourself hesitating between using やる (yaru) or する (suru) when trying to express “to do” something in Japanese? You’re not alone! This subtle distinction confuses even intermediate learners, yet understanding the difference between yaru vs suru can dramatically improve your natural-sounding Japanese.

While both verbs essentially mean “to do,” they carry different nuances that native speakers instantly recognize. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate when to use each verb correctly and sound more natural in your Japanese conversations.

The Core Difference: Yaru vs Suru at a Glance

The primary distinction between yaru vs suru is rather straightforward: する (suru) is the more versatile, neutral, and formal option, while やる (yaru) often has a more casual, physical, or sometimes rougher connotation.

When in doubt, use する (suru). It’s the safer choice in most situations and contexts.

When to Use する (Suru): The Versatile Default

Formal and Professional Contexts

する (suru) is the go-to choice in formal situations, business environments, and when speaking with superiors. Similar to how “Otsukare” expresses appreciation in Japanese workplace settings, using する shows proper linguistic etiquette.

Creating Verbs from Nouns

One of する’s most common uses is transforming nouns into verbs, a function where it clearly outshines やる:

• 勉強する (benkyō suru) – to study
• 電話する (denwa suru) – to make a phone call
• 約束する (yakusoku suru) – to promise

Abstract Actions and Concepts

する is preferable when describing abstract or mental activities:

• 決定する (kettei suru) – to decide
• 理解する (rikai suru) – to understand
• 計画する (keikaku suru) – to plan

Example in context: 「週末に何をするつもりですか？」 (Shūmatsu ni nani o suru tsumori desu ka?) “What do you plan to do this weekend?”

No Need for を (o) Particle

Unlike やる, する can often be used without the を object particle, creating a smoother compound verb:

• 掃除する (sōji suru) – to clean
• 旅行する (ryokō suru) – to travel
• 運動する (undō suru) – to exercise

When to Use やる (Yaru): The Specific Alternative

Physical and Tangible Actions

やる (yaru) often feels more appropriate for concrete, physical actions—similar to how the concept of “Asobi” in Japanese emphasizes tangible play and activities:

• 宿題をやる (shukudai o yaru) – to do homework
• 掃除をやる (sōji o yaru) – to do cleaning
• スポーツをやる (supōtsu o yaru) – to do sports

Example in context: 「今晩、宿題をやらなければならない。」 (Konban, shukudai o yaranakereba naranai.) “I have to do my homework tonight.”

Casual Speech Among Friends

やる has a more colloquial feel, making it suitable for casual conversations with friends and peers:

• 一緒にゲームをやろう！ (Issho ni gēmu o yarō!) “Let’s play games together!”

Specific Meaning: “To Give” (to animals/plants)

やる uniquely means “to give” when referring to feeding animals or watering plants:

• 犬に餌をやる (Inu ni esa o yaru) – to feed the dog
• 植物に水をやる (Shokubutsu ni mizu o yaru) – to water the plants

This meaning never overlaps with する, as 「犬に餌をする」would sound completely unnatural.

Slang and Rough Connotations

Be careful! やる can carry slang meanings in certain contexts:

• It can imply “to defeat/kill someone” in rough speech
• It sometimes has sexual connotations among young people
• It can sound aggressive or vulgar in certain phrases

Common Conjugations: Yaru vs Suru

Understanding how to conjugate these verbs is essential for fluid communication. Let’s compare some key forms:

Present/Future Tense

• する → します (shimasu) – formal “do/will do”
• やる → やります (yarimasu) – formal “do/will do”

Past Tense

• する → した (shita) – “did”
• やる → やった (yatta) – “did”

Negative Form

• する → しない (shinai) – “don’t/won’t do”
• やる → やらない (yaranai) – “don’t/won’t do”

Te-form (for requests, ongoing actions, etc.)

• する → して (shite) – “doing”
• やる → やって (yatte) – “doing”

Practical Examples: When They’re Interchangeable

In many everyday situations, both verbs can be used interchangeably, though する remains the safer choice:

Sports and activities:

• テニスをする / テニスをやる (Tenisu o suru / Tenisu o yaru) “To play tennis”

Hobbies:

• ピアノをする / ピアノをやる (Piano o suru / Piano o yaru) “To play the piano”

Daily tasks:

• 掃除をする / 掃除をやる (Sōji o suru / Sōji o yaru) “To clean”

When They’re NOT Interchangeable

Despite their similarities, there are situations where only one verb works correctly:

する Only

• 合格する (gōkaku suru) – to pass (an exam) ✓
• 合格をやる (gōkaku o yaru) – ✗ Incorrect
• 旅行する (ryokō suru) – to travel ✓
• 旅行をやる (ryokō o yaru) – ✗ Sounds unnatural

やる Only

• 犬に餌をやる (inu ni esa o yaru) – to feed the dog ✓
• 犬に餌をする (inu ni esa o suru) – ✗ Incorrect
• 一杯やる (ippai yaru) – to have a drink (colloquial) ✓
• 一杯する (ippai suru) – ✗ Incorrect

Tips for Mastering Yaru vs Suru

1. Start with する: When unsure, default to する as it’s more widely accepted.
2. Listen to Natives: Pay attention to which verb Japanese people use in different contexts.
3. Consider the Context: More formal or abstract? Use する. More physical or casual? やる might work.
4. Remember the Exceptions: Memorize common phrases where only one form works correctly.
5. Practice with Flashcards: Create cards with common collocations for both verbs to build intuition.

Just as learning “Genki Desu Ka” and how to use it naturally improves your conversation skills, mastering the yaru vs suru distinction will significantly enhance your Japanese fluency.

Connect Your Learning: Building on Basic Japanese Knowledge

Understanding the yaru vs suru distinction becomes easier when you have a solid foundation in Japanese grammar. If you’re looking to strengthen your overall Japanese skills, our free Japanese learning guides provide comprehensive resources for beginners through intermediate learners.

Similarly, once you’ve mastered basic verb usage, you can explore more complex linguistic elements like the person kanji (人) and how it combines with other characters to create rich meanings.

FAQs About Yaru vs Suru

What’s the simplest rule for choosing between yaru and suru?

When in doubt, use する (suru). It’s more versatile and appropriate in most situations, while やる (yaru) has more specific uses and sometimes carries rougher connotations.

Can I use やる in formal situations?

It’s generally better to avoid やる in formal contexts and stick with する, especially in business settings or when speaking with superiors.

Are there any situations where I must use やる instead of する?

Yes, when referring to feeding animals or watering plants, only やる works: 「犬に餌をやる」(feeding a dog) or 「植物に水をやる」(watering plants).

Do やる and する conjugate differently?

They follow different conjugation patterns since する is an irregular verb while やる is a regular -ru verb, but both have similar bases for various forms.

How can I practice using these verbs correctly?

Immerse yourself in authentic Japanese through movies, anime with “soshite” and other conjunctions, and conversations with native speakers to develop natural intuition for when to use each verb.

Does the choice between やる and する vary by region in Japan?

While there are some regional preferences, the core distinctions remain consistent throughout Japan. The guidelines in this article apply to standard Japanese.

The difference between yaru vs suru ultimately comes down to context, formality, and specific usage patterns. By following the guidelines in this article and immersing yourself in authentic Japanese, you’ll develop an intuitive sense of which verb to use when.

Ready to take your Japanese skills to the next level? Explore our comprehensive Japanese learning resources and discover how understanding subtle nuances like these can transform your fluency.

Whether you’re planning to visit Japan in October or simply want to improve your language skills, mastering foundational verbs like やる and する will make your Japanese learning journey smoother and more rewarding.