Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Bring" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "bring", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
持ってくる
もってくる (mottekuru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
寄せる
よせる (yoseru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "bring" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 持ってくる and 寄せる.
In Japanese, 持ってくる (もってくる (mottekuru)) is typically associated with "to bring (something to the speaker/here)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents This compound verb combines 持つ.
On the other hand, 寄せる (よせる (yoseru)) maps to "to bring near, to gather, to move closer" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents 物理的に物や人を近づける、または考えや感情を集める場合によく使われます。例：車を路肩に寄せる、思いを寄せる。 / Often used for physically moving things or people closer, or for gathering abstract things like thoughts or feelings. E.g., to pull a car to the side of the road, to harbor feelings for someone.. A literal translation of "bring" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "持ってくる"
明日、宿題を学校に持ってきてください。
Please bring your homework to school tomorrow.
Bilingual Context for "寄せる"
彼は窓から景色を見るために、椅子を窓際に寄せた。
He moved the chair closer to the window to see the view.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "明日、宿題を学校に持ってきてください。" (Meaning: "Please bring your homework to school tomorrow.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "持ってくる" fits here because it means "to bring (something to the speaker/here)" in the context of: "Please bring your homework to school tomorrow.". "寄せる" represents "to bring near, to gather, to move closer".