Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Carry" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "carry", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
担ぐ
かつぐ (katsugu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
持ち越す
もちこす (mochikosu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "carry" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 担ぐ and 持ち越す.
In Japanese, 担ぐ (かつぐ (katsugu)) is typically associated with "to carry on one's shoulders; to shoulder; to hoist" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Primarily refers to carrying something heavy on one's shoulders or back. Can also colloquially mean to trick someone or to elect someone..
On the other hand, 持ち越す (もちこす (mochikosu)) maps to "to carry over, to postpone, to defer (to the next day/month/etc.)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Used when something. A literal translation of "carry" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "担ぐ"
祭りで、みんなでお神輿を担いだ。
At the festival, everyone shouldered the portable shrine.
Bilingual Context for "持ち越す"
その問題は、来週の会議に持ち越されることになった。
That issue was decided to be carried over to next week's meeting.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "祭りで、みんなでお神輿を担いだ。" (Meaning: "At the festival, everyone shouldered the portable shrine.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "担ぐ" fits here because it means "to carry on one's shoulders; to shoulder; to hoist" in the context of: "At the festival, everyone shouldered the portable shrine.". "持ち越す" represents "to carry over, to postpone, to defer (to the next day/month/etc.)".