OK, I kind of invented that term. But I'm referring to verbs that have identical kanji and okurigana; have nearly identical meanings; but have different readings. I'm sure there are many others out there, but some that immediately come to mind are:
- [解]{と}く・[解]{ほど}く
- [抱]{だ}く・[抱]{いだ}く
- [溶]{と}ける・[溶]{とろ}ける
- Although I believe the latter is more often written as 蕩ける
- [埋]{う}める・[埋]{うず}める
- [脅]{おど}かす・[脅]{おびや}かす
The typical answer is that context dictates the usage. However, when the meanings are so close, or even overlap, context doesn't (really) help. So how do you know which reading to use? Is it dealer's choice at that point?
Admittedly, I have a fairly clear grasp on the nuances between [抱]{だ}く and [抱]{いだ}く, since [抱]{いだ}く usually has a more figurative meaning. But even looking it up now, I see that [抱]{いだ}く can also mean "to physically hold in one's arms" (which I didn't previously know). But at least we know a nuance exists.
However, I often see 脅かす show up in my Japanese Bible. And maybe it's just me, but I don't see any nuance differentiating the two. So I never know how it's supposed to be read.
So what's the non-native reader to do? Is it just a matter of learning the subtleties and memorizing them? Do nuances even necessarily exist in all cases?