🦅 Project Eagle
Synonym Nuance VS

How to say "Take" in Japanese

Both words can translate to "take", but which should you choose?

Japanese Option A

講じる

こうじる (kōjiru)
N2 / 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 講じる and 労する. In Japanese, 講じる (こうじる (kōjiru)) is typically associated with "to take measures, to adopt, to implement" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Often used in formal contexts, especially when discussing measures, policies, or actions to address a situation.. 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 "講じる"
問題解決のために具体的な対策を講じる。
We will take concrete measures to solve the problem.
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: "問題解決のために具体的な対策を ___ 。" (Meaning: "We will take concrete measures to solve the problem.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "講じる" fits here because it means "to take measures, to adopt, to implement" in the context of: "We will take concrete measures to solve the problem.". "労する" represents "to take pains; to labor; to make an effort".