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
連れていく
つれていく (tsureteiku)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 出す and 連れていく.
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, 連れていく (つれていく (tsureteiku)) maps to "to take (someone), to bring (someone)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Used when taking or bringing a person or animal to a place. 「〜に人を連れていく」. 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 "連れていく"
友達をパーティーに連れていきました。
I took my friend to the party.
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.". "連れていく" represents "to take (someone), to bring (someone)".