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Quadruple VS

Synonym Boundary: "受け取る", "受ける", "貰う", "いただく"

All represent the core concept "receive", but require precise selection.

Japanese Option A

受け取る

うけとる (uketoru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B

受ける

うける (ukeru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C

貰う

もらう (morau)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D

いただく

いただく (itadaku)
N4 / CEFR

Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

When expressing "receive" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "受け取る", "受ける", "貰う", "いただく" based on context.
  • 受け取る (うけとる (uketoru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to receive, to accept" and is used when Means to take something that is given or sent. It implies physically taking possession. Can also mean to understand or interpret something..
  • 受ける (うける (ukeru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to receive, to take (an exam), to undergo" and is used when 複数の意味を持つ動詞。「試験を受ける.
  • 貰う (もらう (morau) - Level: N4): Maps to "to receive; to get (from someone)" and is used when Transitive verb. Used to express receiving something from someone, or receiving a favor. Often implies the giver is of equal or higher status, or the action is done *for* the receiver..
  • いただく (いただく (itadaku) - Level: N4): Maps to "to receive (humble form of もらう); to eat/drink (humble form of 食べる/飲む)" and is used when Humble form of もらう.
Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!
Context for "受け取る"
小包を郵便局で受け取った。
I received the parcel at the post office.
Context for "受ける"
来月、JLPTの試験を受けます。
I will take the JLPT exam next month.
Context for "貰う"
友達からプレゼントを貰いました。
I received a present from my friend.
Context for "いただく"
お客様からお土産をいただきました。
I received a souvenir from the customer.

Synonym Mastery Challenge

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "小包を郵便局で受け取った。" (Meaning: "I received the parcel at the post office.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "受け取る" is correct here because it represents "to receive, to accept" in the context: "I received the parcel at the post office.".

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