Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Take" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "take", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
世話をする
せわをする (sewa o suru)
N4 / 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 世話をする and 骨折る.
In Japanese, 世話をする (せわをする (sewa o suru)) is typically associated with "to take care of; to look after; to help" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Often used when helping or caring for people, animals, or even things. The particle 'を'.
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 "世話をする"
毎日、妹の世話をします。
I take care of my younger sister every day.
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: "毎日、妹の世話をします。" (Meaning: "I take care of my younger sister every day.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "世話をする" fits here because it means "to take care of; to look after; to help" in the context of: "I take care of my younger sister every day.". "骨折る" represents "to take great pains, to make an effort, to go to a lot of trouble (literally: to break a bone)".