Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Take" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "take", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
連れて行く
つれていく (tsurete iku)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
持っていく
もっていく (motte iku)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 連れて行く and 持っていく.
In Japanese, 連れて行く (つれていく (tsurete iku)) is typically associated with "to take (a person/animal)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Specifically for taking people or animals somewhere. For objects, use 持って行く. 人や動物を伴って移動する。.
On the other hand, 持っていく (もっていく (motte iku)) maps to "to take (something) along, to bring (something)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Implies carrying an object from one place to another, usually by the speaker or towards a destination. 自分や相手が何かをある場所に移動させる行為。. A literal translation of "take" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "連れて行く"
子供を公園に連れて行きました。
I took my child to the park.
Bilingual Context for "持っていく"
パーティーにケーキを持っていきます。
I will take a cake to the party.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "子供を公園に連れて行きました。" (Meaning: "I took my child to the park.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "連れて行く" fits here because it means "to take (a person/animal)" in the context of: "I took my child to the park.". "持っていく" represents "to take (something) along, to bring (something)".