Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Take" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "take", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
掛かる
かかる (kakaru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
労する
ろうする (rōsuru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 掛かる and 労する.
In Japanese, 掛かる (かかる (kakaru)) is typically associated with "to take (time, money), to be hung, to be covered, to start (an engine)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents 時間や費用が必要であること、何かに接触してぶら下がっていること、機械が作動を開始することなど、多くの意味がある。Has many meanings, such as requiring time or money, being hung/suspended, or a machine starting operation..
On the other hand, 労する (ろうする (rōsuru)) maps to "to take pains; to labor; to make an effort" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe making a significant effort or expending much labor. Can imply difficulty.. A literal translation of "take" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "掛かる"
学校まで歩いて30分掛かる。
It takes 30 minutes to walk to school.
Bilingual Context for "労する"
この企画を成功させるために、彼は大いに労した。
He greatly labored to make this project successful.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "学校まで歩いて30分 ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "It takes 30 minutes to walk to school.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "掛かる" fits here because it means "to take (time, money), to be hung, to be covered, to start (an engine)" in the context of: "It takes 30 minutes to walk to school.". "労する" represents "to take pains; to labor; to make an effort".