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
連れてくる
つれてくる (tsurete kuru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "bring" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 持ってくる and 連れてくる.
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, 連れてくる (つれてくる (tsurete kuru)) maps to "to bring (a person/animal); to take (a person/animal) along" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents 人や動物をある場所へ「一緒に」来ることを表します。「持ってくる. 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 "連れてくる"
友達をパーティーに連れてきました。
I brought my friend to the party.
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.". "連れてくる" represents "to bring (a person/animal); to take (a person/animal) along".