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
連れる
つれる (tsureru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between かかる and 連れる.
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, 連れる (つれる (tsureru)) maps to "to take (someone), to bring (someone)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Used when taking or bringing a person or an animal along with oneself. It implies accompanying someone.. 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 "連れる"
彼女は子供を公園に連れて行きました。
She took her child to the park.
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.". "連れる" represents "to take (someone), to bring (someone)".