Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Take" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "take", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
受け持つ
うけもつ (ukemotsu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
肝に銘じる
きもにめいじる (kimonimeijiru)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 受け持つ and 肝に銘じる.
In Japanese, 受け持つ (うけもつ (ukemotsu)) is typically associated with "to take charge of, to be in charge of, to be responsible for" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Used when someone is assigned a role, duty, or responsibility, often in educational or professional settings. 任務や職務、授業などを担当する、責任を持つという意味で使われます。.
On the other hand, 肝に銘じる (きもにめいじる (kimonimeijiru)) maps to "to take to heart" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "take" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "受け持つ"
彼は来月から新しいプロジェクトを受け持つことになった。
He will be in charge of the new project from next month.
Bilingual Context for "肝に銘じる"
毎日、日本語を練習するために肝に銘じる。
Every day, I take to heart to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼は来月から新しいプロジェクトを ＿＿＿ ことになった。" (Meaning: "He will be in charge of the new project from next month.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "受け持つ" fits here because it means "to take charge of, to be in charge of, to be responsible for" in the context of: "He will be in charge of the new project from next month.". "肝に銘じる" represents "to take to heart".