Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Take" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "take", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
持って行く
もっていく (motte iku)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
取り戻す
とりもどす (torimodosu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 持って行く and 取り戻す.
In Japanese, 持って行く (もっていく (motte iku)) is typically associated with "to take (an object)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Specifically for taking objects somewhere. For people/animals, use 連れて行く. 物を自分の手で移動させる。.
On the other hand, 取り戻す (とりもどす (torimodosu)) maps to "to take back, to regain, to recover" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 失ったものや奪われたものを再び自分のものにする、あるいは元の良い状態に戻す際に使います。/ Used when taking back something lost or stolen, or restoring something to its original good state.. A literal translation of "take" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "持って行く"
お弁当を持って会社に行きます。
I take my bento box to the office.
Bilingual Context for "取り戻す"
盗まれた財布を取り戻した。
I got my stolen wallet back.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "お弁当を持って会社に行きます。" (Meaning: "I take my bento box to the office.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "持って行く" fits here because it means "to take (an object)" in the context of: "I take my bento box to the office.". "取り戻す" represents "to take back, to regain, to recover".