Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Take" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "take", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
取り返す
とりかえす (torikaesu)
N2 / 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 取り返す and 手間取る.
In Japanese, 取り返す (とりかえす (torikaesu)) is typically associated with "to take back, to recover, to regain, to retrieve" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Refers to getting back something that was lost, stolen, or taken away. It can also be used metaphorically for regaining a lost reputation, time, or opportunity..
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 "取り返す"
盗まれた自転車を警察が取り返してくれた。
The police recovered my stolen bicycle for me.
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: "盗まれた自転車を警察が取り返してくれた。" (Meaning: "The police recovered my stolen bicycle for me.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "取り返す" fits here because it means "to take back, to recover, to regain, to retrieve" in the context of: "The police recovered my stolen bicycle for me.". "手間取る" represents "to take time, to be delayed, to be slow (due to difficulty or complications)".