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
骨折る
ほねおる (honeoru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 掛かる and 骨折る.
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, 骨折る (ほねおる (honeoru)) maps to "to take great pains, to make an effort, to go to a lot of trouble (literally: to break a bone)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Expresses significant effort, often implying hardship or difficulty. Used in a figurative sense, emphasizing the extensive effort or trouble taken.. 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 "骨折る"
彼はプロジェクトを成功させるために、大変骨を折った。
He went to great pains to make the project a success.
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.". "骨折る" represents "to take great pains, to make an effort, to go to a lot of trouble (literally: to break a bone)".