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
連れる
つれる (tsureru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 持って行く and 連れる.
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, 連れる (つれる (tsureru)) maps to "to take (someone), to bring (someone)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Used when taking or bringing a person or an animal along with oneself. It implies accompanying someone.. 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 "連れる"
彼女は子供を公園に連れて行きました。
She took her child to the park.
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.". "連れる" represents "to take (someone), to bring (someone)".