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
受け持つ
うけもつ (ukemotsu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between もっていく and 受け持つ.
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, 受け持つ (うけもつ (ukemotsu)) maps to "to take charge of, to be in charge of, to be responsible for" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Used when someone is assigned a role, duty, or responsibility, often in educational or professional settings. 任務や職務、授業などを担当する、責任を持つという意味で使われます。. 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 "受け持つ"
彼は来月から新しいプロジェクトを受け持つことになった。
He will be in charge of the new project from next month.
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.". "受け持つ" represents "to take charge of, to be in charge of, to be responsible for".