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How to say "Take" in Japanese

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

Japanese Option A

連れて帰る

つれてかえる (tsurete kaeru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B

取り戻す

とりもどす (torimodosu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus

Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference

When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 連れて帰る and 取り戻す. In Japanese, 連れて帰る (つれてかえる (tsurete kaeru)) is typically associated with "to take/bring (someone/an animal) back home" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents A compound verb meaning to take someone or an animal back to one's home or a specified 'home' location. It's a combination of 連れる. On the other hand, 取り戻す (とりもどす (torimodosu)) maps to "to take back, to regain, to recover" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 失ったものや奪われたものを再び自分のものにする、あるいは元の良い状態に戻す際に使います。/ Used when taking back something lost or stolen, or restoring something to its original good state.. A literal translation of "take" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "連れて帰る"
迷子の犬を連れて帰りました。
I took the lost dog back home.
Bilingual Context for "取り戻す"
盗まれた財布を取り戻した。
I got my stolen wallet back.

Nuance Mastery Quiz

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "迷子の犬を連れて帰りました。" (Meaning: "I took the lost dog back home.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "連れて帰る" fits here because it means "to take/bring (someone/an animal) back home" in the context of: "I took the lost dog back home.". "取り戻す" represents "to take back, to regain, to recover".