[Common Mistakes] 集める cannot mean “to save” goods or money for future use
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Today, I am going to share a homework correction from my JLPT Course! The student’s sentence is not correct. Can you find the mistake?
[Student’s sentence]
来年日本に行くために、お金を集めています。
*らいねんにほんにいくために、おかねをあつめています。
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[My correction]
来年日本に行くために、お金を集めています。
→ 来年日本に行くために、お金を貯(た)めています。
I am saving money to go to Japan next year.
「集(あつ)める」 means “to gather” or “to collect” things like objects or information. It is often used when collecting items as a hobby.
「貯(た)める」 means “to save” goods or money for future use. When talking about saving money, you should use 「貯める」 instead of 「集める」。
Examples:
切手(きって)を集めています。
I am collecting stamps.
昔(むかし)好(す)きだったおもちゃを集めています。
I am collecting toys that I used to like.
新しい車(くるま)を買(か)うために、お金を貯めています。
I am saving money to buy a new car.
ここは水道(すいどう)がないので雨水(あまみず)を貯めています。
I am storing rainwater because there is no water supply here.
I hope my explanation helps you.😊
I interact like the above correction with my JLPT All-in-One Course student. (Today’s homework sentence is from the N4, elementary level. Not sure of your Japanese level? Then take a level test here.) I can explain in English or Japanese, depending on your level.
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