Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Take" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "take", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
骨折る
ほねおる (honeoru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
労する
ろうする (rōsuru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "take" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 骨折る and 労する.
In Japanese, 骨折る (ほねおる (honeoru)) is typically associated with "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..
On the other hand, 労する (ろうする (rōsuru)) maps to "to take pains; to labor; to make an effort" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe making a significant effort or expending much labor. Can imply difficulty.. A literal translation of "take" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
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.
Bilingual Context for "労する"
この企画を成功させるために、彼は大いに労した。
He greatly labored to make this project successful.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼はプロジェクトを成功させるために、大変骨を折った。" (Meaning: "He went to great pains to make the project a success.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "骨折る" fits here because it means "to take great pains, to make an effort, to go to a lot of trouble (literally: to break a bone)" in the context of: "He went to great pains to make the project a success.". "労する" represents "to take pains; to labor; to make an effort".