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
帯びる
おびる (obiru)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 掛かる and 帯びる.
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, 帯びる (おびる (obiru)) maps to "to take on (a quality)" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 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 "帯びる"
毎日、日本語を練習するために帯びる。
Every day, I take on (a quality) 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.". "帯びる" represents "to take on (a quality)".