Translation guide
To take someone or something with you when going somewhere.
To take a person with you to a place or event.
The most common way to say 'bring someone along'. Used for people or pets.
友達をパーティーに連れて行ってもいい？
Can I bring a friend along to the party?
子供を病院に連れて行った。
I brought my child along to the hospital.
To take a thing with you when going somewhere.
To have or carry something non-physical with you.
Use 連れて行く (tsurete iku) for people and animals, and 持って行く (motte iku) for objects. Mixing them up sounds unnatural.
English 'bring' often corresponds to 持って来る or 連れて来る when movement is toward the speaker, and 持って行く or 連れて行く when movement is away. Japanese distinguishes direction carefully.
Used when the speaker is at the destination and asks someone to bring a person. Implies movement toward the speaker.
明日、彼女を連れて来てください。
Please bring your girlfriend along tomorrow.
Formal term, often used in written invitations or business contexts.
ご家族を同伴してご出席ください。
Please attend with your family (bringing them along).
The standard way to say 'bring an object along'. Used for tangible items.
傘を持って行ったほうがいいよ。
You should bring an umbrella along.
お弁当を持って行きます。
I'll bring a packed lunch along.
Used when the speaker is at the destination and asks someone to bring an object. Movement toward the speaker.
明日、資料を持って来てください。
Please bring the documents along tomorrow.
Formal, often used for portable items like phones or important documents. Implies carrying on one's person.
身分証明書を常に携帯してください。
Please always carry (bring along) your ID.
Can be used metaphorically for abstract things like feelings or memories.
楽しい思い出を持って帰りました。
I brought back happy memories (brought them along home).
Literary or formal, often used for abstract things like hopes or ideals.
希望を携えて旅立った。
He set off on a journey, bringing hope along.