Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Take" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "take", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
散歩します
さんぽします (sanposhimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
持っていく
もっていく (motte iku)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 散歩します and 持っていく.
In Japanese, 散歩します (さんぽします (sanposhimasu)) is typically associated with "to take a walk" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Polite form of 散歩する.
On the other hand, 持っていく (もっていく (motte iku)) maps to "to take (something) along, to bring (something)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Implies carrying an object from one place to another, usually by the speaker or towards a destination. 自分や相手が何かをある場所に移動させる行為。. A literal translation of "take" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "散歩します"
毎朝、公園を散歩します。
I take a walk in the park every morning.
Bilingual Context for "持っていく"
パーティーにケーキを持っていきます。
I will take a cake to the party.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "毎朝、公園を ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I take a walk in the park every morning.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "散歩します" fits here because it means "to take a walk" in the context of: "I take a walk in the park every morning.". "持っていく" represents "to take (something) along, to bring (something)".