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.
I opened the window to take in fresh air.
Plants take in water through their roots.
Formal term for intake, especially of nutrients, food, or medicine. Common in health and scientific contexts.
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.
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.
A sponge takes in water.
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.
The tax is included in that price. (lit. That price takes in the tax.)
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.
He quickly took in the situation.
To grasp, seize (mentally). Implies a firm understanding of the whole picture.
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.
Expressing the act of receiving someone into one's home or care.
Expressing the alteration of clothing to make it tighter or smaller.
To take in (a seam), to make tighter. Used for altering clothes.
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.
Open the window to let in outside air.
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.
He took the joke seriously. (Not 'took in' but similar caution)
雨が地面に染み込んだ。
The rain soaked into the ground.
Please include me as a member. (lit. Take me in as a member.)
They are actively taking in new technology.
We need to take in the whole picture of the problem.
その知らせを飲み込むのに時間がかかった。
It took time to take in the news.
I took in the beautiful scene, burning it into my memory.
A policy of taking in refugees.