Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Take" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "take", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
連れる
つれる (tsureru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
骨折る
ほねおる (honeoru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 連れる and 骨折る.
In Japanese, 連れる (つれる (tsureru)) is typically associated with "to take (someone), to bring (someone)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Used when taking or bringing a person or an animal along with oneself. It implies accompanying someone..
On the other hand, 骨折る (ほねおる (honeoru)) maps to "to take great pains, to make an effort, to go to a lot of trouble (literally: to break a bone)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Expresses significant effort, often implying hardship or difficulty. Used in a figurative sense, emphasizing the extensive effort or trouble taken.. A literal translation of "take" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "連れる"
彼女は子供を公園に連れて行きました。
She took her child to the park.
Bilingual Context for "骨折る"
彼はプロジェクトを成功させるために、大変骨を折った。
He went to great pains to make the project a success.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼女は子供を公園に連れて行きました。" (Meaning: "She took her child to the park.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "連れる" fits here because it means "to take (someone), to bring (someone)" in the context of: "She took her child to the park.". "骨折る" represents "to take great pains, to make an effort, to go to a lot of trouble (literally: to break a bone)".