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
帥先
そっせん
C2PLUS / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 掛かる and 帥先.
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, 帥先 (そっせん) maps to "to take the lead; to take the initiative; to set an example (a more classical or formal version of 率先)" (Syllabus Level: C2PLUS) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C2PLUS vocabulary syllabus.. 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 "帥先"
毎日、日本語を練習するために帥先。
Every day, I take the lead; to take the initiative; to set an example (a more classical or formal version of 率先) to practice Japanese.
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.". "帥先" represents "to take the lead; to take the initiative; to set an example (a more classical or formal version of 率先)".