Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Take" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "take", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
出す
だす (dasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
取り戻す
とりもどす (torimodosu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 出す and 取り戻す.
In Japanese, 出す (だす (dasu)) is typically associated with "to take out, to send, to submit" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents 中にあるものを外へ移動させるときや、手紙などを送るときに使います。Polite form is 出します.
On the other hand, 取り戻す (とりもどす (torimodosu)) maps to "to take back, to regain, to recover" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 失ったものや奪われたものを再び自分のものにする、あるいは元の良い状態に戻す際に使います。/ Used when taking back something lost or stolen, or restoring something to its original good state.. A literal translation of "take" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "出す"
かばんから財布を出しました。
I took my wallet out of my bag.
Bilingual Context for "取り戻す"
盗まれた財布を取り戻した。
I got my stolen wallet back.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "かばんから財布を出しました。" (Meaning: "I took my wallet out of my bag.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "出す" fits here because it means "to take out, to send, to submit" in the context of: "I took my wallet out of my bag.". "取り戻す" represents "to take back, to regain, to recover".