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
持って行く
もっていく (motte iku)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 出す and 持って行く.
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, 持って行く (もっていく (motte iku)) maps to "to take (an object)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Specifically for taking objects somewhere. For people/animals, use 連れて行く. 物を自分の手で移動させる。. 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 "持って行く"
お弁当を持って会社に行きます。
I take my bento box to the office.
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.". "持って行く" represents "to take (an object)".