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Synonym Nuance VS

How to say "Take" in Japanese

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

Japanese Option A

連れて帰る

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

掛かる

かかる (kakaru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus

Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference

When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 連れて帰る and 掛かる. 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, 掛かる (かかる (kakaru)) maps to "to take (time, money), to be hung, to be covered, to start (an engine)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents 時間や費用が必要であること、何かに接触してぶら下がっていること、機械が作動を開始することなど、多くの意味がある。Has many meanings, such as requiring time or money, being hung/suspended, or a machine starting operation.. 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 "掛かる"
学校まで歩いて30分掛かる。
It takes 30 minutes to walk to school.

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.". "掛かる" represents "to take (time, money), to be hung, to be covered, to start (an engine)".