Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Take" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "take", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
もっていく
もっていく (motte iku)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
取り返す
とりかえす (torikaesu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between もっていく and 取り返す.
In Japanese, もっていく (もっていく (motte iku)) is typically associated with "to take (something somewhere)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Implies moving an object away from the current location towards another. '持っていく.
On the other hand, 取り返す (とりかえす (torikaesu)) maps to "to take back, to recover, to regain, to retrieve" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Refers to getting back something that was lost, stolen, or taken away. It can also be used metaphorically for regaining a lost reputation, time, or opportunity.. A literal translation of "take" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "もっていく"
明日、傘を持っていくのを忘れないでください。
Please don't forget to take your umbrella tomorrow.
Bilingual Context for "取り返す"
盗まれた自転車を警察が取り返してくれた。
The police recovered my stolen bicycle for me.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "明日、傘を持っていくのを忘れないでください。" (Meaning: "Please don't forget to take your umbrella tomorrow.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "もっていく" fits here because it means "to take (something somewhere)" in the context of: "Please don't forget to take your umbrella tomorrow.". "取り返す" represents "to take back, to recover, to regain, to retrieve".