Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Take" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "take", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
手間取る
てまどる (temadoru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
引き受ける
ひきうける (hikiukeru)
B2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 手間取る and 引き受ける.
In Japanese, 手間取る (てまどる (temadoru)) is typically associated with "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..
On the other hand, 引き受ける (ひきうける (hikiukeru)) maps to "to take on, to undertake" (Syllabus Level: B2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR B2 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "take" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
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.
Bilingual Context for "引き受ける"
毎日、日本語を練習するために引き受ける。
Every day, I take on, to undertake to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "複雑な申請手続きで、予想以上に手間取ってしまった。" (Meaning: "The complicated application process took longer than expected.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "手間取る" fits here because it means "to take time, to be delayed, to be slow (due to difficulty or complications)" in the context of: "The complicated application process took longer than expected.". "引き受ける" represents "to take on, to undertake".