Synonym Comparison
The Nuance Difference: "とります" vs "続ける"
Master the exact conceptual boundary between these Japanese terms.
Japanese Term A
とります
とります (torimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Term B
続ける
つづける (tsuzukeru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
In Japanese, both とります and 続ける are often translated to English but have distinct usages.
とります (とります (torimasu)) represents "to take (a photo, a class, a break, etc.), to grab, to pass (salt)" (Level: N5) and typically represents A versatile verb with multiple meanings depending on the context. Common usages include 写真を撮る.
On the other hand, 続ける (つづける (tsuzukeru)) translates to "to continue (something)" (Level: N4) and is used for Transitive verb. To keep doing something, or to prolong an action.. Mixing these up can sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers!
Bilingual Sentence for "とります"
写真を撮りましょう。
Let's take a photo.
Bilingual Sentence for "続ける"
日本語の勉強を続けます。
I will continue studying Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "写真を撮りましょう。" (Meaning: "Let's take a photo.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "とります" fits here because it represents "to take (a photo, a class, a break, etc.), to grab, to pass (salt)" in the context: "Let's take a photo.".