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
降ろす
おろす (orosu)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 連れていく and 降ろす.
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, 降ろす (おろす (orosu)) maps to "to take down, to lower, to unload, to drop off (a person)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Transitive verb. Used for lowering objects from a high place, unloading cargo, or letting someone get off a vehicle. 反対語は「上げる. 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 "降ろす"
駅で友達を降ろした。
I dropped off my friend at the station.
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.". "降ろす" represents "to take down, to lower, to unload, to drop off (a person)".