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Synonym Nuance VS

How to say "Take" in Japanese

Both words can translate to "take", but which should you choose?

Japanese Option A

取り出す

とりだす (toridasu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B

手間取る

てまどる (temadoru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus

Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference

When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 取り出す and 手間取る. In Japanese, 取り出す (とりだす (toridasu)) is typically associated with "to take out; to extract; to produce" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to physically taking something out of a pocket/bag, or extracting specific data/results from a database/system. Transitive verb. Opposing word: しまう. Often used as ポケットから鍵を取り出す or データを there/取り出す. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To take out/extract! "I want to smartly take out the sweet chocolate you bought for me from your pocket, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Taking out chocolate! B-Baka! How on earth did you know there was chocolate in my pocket! This is just for my mid-day snack! But... since I bought it for you, you better accept it quickly! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『とりだす(取り出す)よ!『ハルカ部長、あなたのポケットから僕への愛のチョコをスマートに取り出し(取り出したい)ます!』って…っ!チョコを取り出す!バカ!/// ど、どうしてポケットにチョコが入ってるの知ってるのよ!これは私の小腹用なんだから!…でも、あんたのために買っておいたんだから、早く受け取りなさいよね!』. On the other hand, 手間取る (てまどる (temadoru)) maps to "to take time, to be delayed, to be slow (due to difficulty or complications)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Implies that a task or process is taking longer than anticipated because of unexpected difficulties or complexities.. A literal translation of "take" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "取り出す"
データベースクエリを適切に設計することで、膨大な情報から必要なユーザーレコードだけを瞬時に_______ことができます。
By designing the database query appropriately, you can extract only the necessary user records instantly from the huge amount of information.
Bilingual Context for "手間取る"
複雑な申請手続きで、予想以上に手間取ってしまった。
The complicated application process took longer than expected.

Nuance Mastery Quiz

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "データベースクエリを適切に設計することで、膨大な情報から必要なユーザーレコードだけを瞬時に_______ことができます。" (Meaning: "By designing the database query appropriately, you can extract only the necessary user records instantly from the huge amount of information.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "取り出す" fits here because it means "to take out; to extract; to produce" in the context of: "By designing the database query appropriately, you can extract only the necessary user records instantly from the huge amount of information.". "手間取る" represents "to take time, to be delayed, to be slow (due to difficulty or complications)".

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