Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Bring" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "bring", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
連れてくる
つれてくる (tsurete kuru)
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 連れてくる and 寄せる.
In Japanese, 連れてくる (つれてくる (tsurete kuru)) is typically associated with "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.
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 "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.
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: "友達をパーティーに連れてきました。" (Meaning: "I brought my friend to the party.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "連れてくる" fits here because it means "to bring (a person/animal); to take (a person/animal) along" in the context of: "I brought my friend to the party.". "寄せる" represents "to bring near, to gather, to move closer".