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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

とります

とります (torimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B

骨折る

ほねおる (honeoru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus

Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference

When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between とります and 骨折る. In Japanese, とります (とります (torimasu)) is typically associated with "to take (a photo, a class, a break, etc.), to grab, to pass (salt)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents A versatile verb with multiple meanings depending on the context. Common usages include 写真を撮る. On the other hand, 骨折る (ほねおる (honeoru)) maps to "to take great pains, to make an effort, to go to a lot of trouble (literally: to break a bone)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Expresses significant effort, often implying hardship or difficulty. Used in a figurative sense, emphasizing the extensive effort or trouble taken.. A literal translation of "take" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "とります"
写真を撮りましょう。
Let's take a photo.
Bilingual Context for "骨折る"
彼はプロジェクトを成功させるために、大変骨を折った。
He went to great pains to make the project a success.

Nuance Mastery Quiz

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "写真を撮りましょう。" (Meaning: "Let's take a photo.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "とります" fits here because it means "to take (a photo, a class, a break, etc.), to grab, to pass (salt)" in the context of: "Let's take a photo.". "骨折る" represents "to take great pains, to make an effort, to go to a lot of trouble (literally: to break a bone)".