Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Take" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "take", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
だす
だす (dasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
掛かる
かかる (kakaru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between だす and 掛かる.
In Japanese, だす (だす (dasu)) is typically associated with "to take out, to put out, to send" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Transitive verb. Used for taking something out, sending mail, or submitting something..
On the other hand, 掛かる (かかる (kakaru)) maps to "to take (time, money), to be hung, to be covered, to start (an engine)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents 時間や費用が必要であること、何かに接触してぶら下がっていること、機械が作動を開始することなど、多くの意味がある。Has many meanings, such as requiring time or money, being hung/suspended, or a machine starting operation.. A literal translation of "take" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "だす"
ごみを外に出してください。
Please take out the trash.
Bilingual Context for "掛かる"
学校まで歩いて30分掛かる。
It takes 30 minutes to walk to school.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "ごみを外に出してください。" (Meaning: "Please take out the trash.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "だす" fits here because it means "to take out, to put out, to send" in the context of: "Please take out the trash.". "掛かる" represents "to take (time, money), to be hung, to be covered, to start (an engine)".