Translation guide
The English phrase "carry away" has several distinct meanings. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression depending on whether they mean physically transporting something, being emotionally overwhelmed, or removing something.
To move something or someone from one place to another, often by carrying.
Literally 'carry and leave'. Used for physically carrying something away from a place.
彼らは荷物を運び去った。
They carried away the luggage.
Emphasizes taking something away, often implying removal or theft.
犯人は現金を持ち去った。
The culprit carried away the cash.
More general 'carry and go', focusing on the action of carrying to another location.
彼は箱を運んで行った。
He carried the box away.
Specifically for carrying away a person or animal, often against their will.
誘拐犯は子供を連れ去った。
The kidnapper carried away the child.
To become so excited, enthusiastic, or absorbed that one loses self-control.
Literally 'forget oneself'. Used when someone is so absorbed in an emotion or activity that they lose their usual restraint.
彼は興奮して我を忘れた。
He got carried away with excitement.
To be completely absorbed or engrossed in something, often in a positive sense.
彼女はダンスに夢中になった。
She got carried away with dancing.
To get carried away in a boastful or overconfident manner, often with a negative nuance of going too far.
Often implies overstepping or becoming cocky, not just enthusiasm.
To be deeply engrossed or enthusiastic about a hobby or interest.
彼はゲームに熱中している。
He is carried away by video games.
To take something away, often in a formal, legal, or figurative sense.
To snatch away or carry off, often used for abstract things like rights or hopes.
戦争が彼の夢を奪い去った。
The war carried away his dreams.
To remove or take away, often used for obstacles or unwanted things.
Can also be used figuratively for taking away intangible things, though more commonly physical.
Do not use 運び去る or similar physical verbs for the emotional meaning of 'carry away'. It will sound unnatural. Use phrases like 我を忘れる or 夢中になる instead.
For physical removal, use 運び去る or 持ち去る. For emotional absorption, use 我を忘れる or 夢中になる. The context determines which is appropriate.
彼は調子に乗って言い過ぎた。
He got carried away and said too much.
彼の言葉が不安を取り去った。
His words carried away my anxiety.
The thief carried away the jewels.