Translation guide
Ways to express the idea of 'taking in' in Japanese, covering physical intake, absorption, inclusion, and comprehension.
Expressing the action of ingesting or inhaling something into the body.
General verb for taking something in, often used for air, nutrients, or data. Can also mean to bring inside a physical space.
新鮮な空気を取り込むために窓を開けた。
I opened the window to take in fresh air.
植物は根から水分を取り込む。
Plants take in water through their roots.
Formal term for intake, especially of nutrients, food, or medicine. Common in health and scientific contexts.
ビタミンを十分に摂取することが大切です。
It is important to take in enough vitamins.
To inhale or suck in, often used for air, smoke, or liquids. Emphasizes the drawing in motion.
彼は深く息を吸い込んだ。
He took a deep breath in.
Describing the process of absorbing something, either physically or metaphorically.
To absorb physically (liquid, light) or metaphorically (knowledge, culture). Very common.
スポンジが水を吸収する。
A sponge takes in water.
新しい知識をどんどん吸収している。
He is eagerly taking in new knowledge.
To soak in, permeate. Often used for liquids soaking into fabric or the ground, or for feelings/atmosphere sinking in.
Expressing that something is taken in or included within a larger scope, plan, or area.
To include, to take into account. Used when adding something to a group or consideration.
その料金には税金が含まれています。
The tax is included in that price. (lit. That price takes in the tax.)
私もメンバーに含めてください。
Please include me as a member. (lit. Take me in as a member.)
To adopt, incorporate, or bring in (ideas, methods, trends). Often used for actively taking in new elements.
Expressing the mental act of taking in information, grasping a situation, or realizing something.
To understand, comprehend. The most direct way to say you have taken in information mentally.
彼は状況をすぐに理解した。
He quickly took in the situation.
To grasp, seize (mentally). Implies a firm understanding of the whole picture.
問題の全体像を把握する必要がある。
We need to take in the whole picture of the problem.
Literally 'to swallow', but metaphorically means to understand or accept something difficult. Often used when taking in a shocking truth.
Expressing the act of visually absorbing a landscape or sight.
To gaze at, to take in a view. Implies a leisurely, appreciative looking.
山頂からの景色を眺めた。
We took in the view from the mountaintop.
To burn into one's eyes/memory, to take in a sight so as to never forget it. Emphatic.
その美しい光景を目に焼き付けた。
I took in the beautiful scene, burning it into my memory.
Expressing the act of receiving someone into one's home or care.
To take in (a person, especially a child or someone in need), to take under one's care.
彼らは孤児を引き取った。
They took in an orphan.
To accept, receive, take in. Broader term for welcoming someone into a group or place.
Expressing the alteration of clothing to make it tighter or smaller.
To take in (a seam), to make tighter. Used for altering clothes.
ウエストを詰めてもらえますか？
Can you take in the waist?
Both can mean 'take in', but 取り込む emphasizes the action of bringing inside, while 吸収する focuses on absorption. For physical intake like air, 取り込む is common; for nutrients or knowledge, 吸収する is often better.
窓を開けて外気を取り込む。
Open the window to let in outside air.
栄養を吸収する。
Absorb nutrients.
Avoid directly translating 'take in' as 取る (toru) + 中 (naka) or similar. The appropriate verb depends heavily on context. Using the wrong one can sound unnatural or change the meaning.
彼はその冗談を真に受けた。
He took the joke seriously. (Not 'took in' but similar caution)
The rain soaked into the ground.
新しい技術を積極的に取り入れている。
They are actively taking in new technology.
It took time to take in the news.
難民を受け入れる政策。
A policy of taking in refugees.