Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Bring" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "bring", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
持って来る
もってくる (motte kuru)
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 持って来る and 連れてくる.
In Japanese, 持って来る (もってくる (motte kuru)) is typically associated with "to bring (something)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents A compound verb combining '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 "持って来る"
明日、宿題を持って来てください。
Please bring your homework 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、宿題を持って来てください。" (Meaning: "Please bring your homework tomorrow.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "持って来る" fits here because it means "to bring (something)" in the context of: "Please bring your homework tomorrow.". "連れてくる" represents "to bring (a person/animal); to take (a person/animal) along".