Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Take" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "take", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
連れていく
つれていく (tsureteiku)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
抱え込む
かかえこむ (kakaekomu)
B2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 連れていく and 抱え込む.
In Japanese, 連れていく (つれていく (tsureteiku)) is typically associated with "to take (someone), to bring (someone)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Used when taking or bringing a person or animal to a place. 「〜に人を連れていく」.
On the other hand, 抱え込む (かかえこむ (kakaekomu)) maps to "to take on (problems)" (Syllabus Level: B2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR B2 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "take" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "連れていく"
友達をパーティーに連れていきました。
I took my friend to the party.
Bilingual Context for "抱え込む"
毎日、日本語を練習するために抱え込む。
Every day, I take on (problems) to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "友達をパーティーに連れていきました。" (Meaning: "I took my friend to the party.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "連れていく" fits here because it means "to take (someone), to bring (someone)" in the context of: "I took my friend to the party.". "抱え込む" represents "to take on (problems)".