Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Take" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "take", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
取る
とる (toru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
連れて帰る
つれてかえる (tsurete kaeru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 取る and 連れて帰る.
In Japanese, 取る (とる (toru)) is typically associated with "to take; to pick up; to get" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents 非常に多くの意味を持つ動詞です。物をつかむ、手に入れる、時間や休みを取るなど、文脈によって使い分けられます。.
On the other hand, 連れて帰る (つれてかえる (tsurete kaeru)) maps to "to take/bring (someone/an animal) back home" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents A compound verb meaning to take someone or an animal back to one's home or a specified 'home' location. It's a combination of 連れる. A literal translation of "take" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "取る"
本棚から本を取ってください。
Please take a book from the bookshelf.
Bilingual Context for "連れて帰る"
迷子の犬を連れて帰りました。
I took the lost dog back home.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "本棚から本を取ってください。" (Meaning: "Please take a book from the bookshelf.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "取る" fits here because it means "to take; to pick up; to get" in the context of: "Please take a book from the bookshelf.". "連れて帰る" represents "to take/bring (someone/an animal) back home".