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Synonym Nuance VS

How to say "Take" in Japanese

Both words can translate to "take", but which should you choose?

Japanese Option A

かかる

かかる (kakaru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B

取り戻す

とりもどす (torimodosu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus

Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference

When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between かかる and 取り戻す. In Japanese, かかる (かかる (kakaru)) is typically associated with "to take (time/money), to hang (intransitive), to catch (a cold)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Intransitive verb. For N5, most commonly used to express how much time or money is required for something. e.g., 時間がかかる. On the other hand, 取り戻す (とりもどす (torimodosu)) maps to "to take back, to regain, to recover" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 失ったものや奪われたものを再び自分のものにする、あるいは元の良い状態に戻す際に使います。/ Used when taking back something lost or stolen, or restoring something to its original good state.. A literal translation of "take" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "かかる"
東京まで3時間かかります。
It takes 3 hours to get to Tokyo.
Bilingual Context for "取り戻す"
盗まれた財布を取り戻した。
I got my stolen wallet back.

Nuance Mastery Quiz

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "東京まで3時間かかります。" (Meaning: "It takes 3 hours to get to Tokyo.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "かかる" fits here because it means "to take (time/money), to hang (intransitive), to catch (a cold)" in the context of: "It takes 3 hours to get to Tokyo.". "取り戻す" represents "to take back, to regain, to recover".