Translation guide
The English phrase "take away" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: physically removing something, subtracting, taking food to go, learning a lesson, and more.
To physically take something from someone or somewhere, often implying removal or confiscation.
Common verb meaning to take something away from someone, often by authority or force. Can also mean to confiscate or to pick up (a topic).
先生は私の携帯電話を取り上げた。
The teacher took away my cell phone.
To carry something away; often used for theft or removing objects from a scene.
犯人は現金を持ち去った。
The culprit took away the cash.
To snatch away, rob, or deprive someone of something. Stronger nuance of taking by force.
彼は私の自由を奪った。
He took away my freedom.
To remove a number or amount from a total; mathematical subtraction.
Standard verb for subtraction in math. Also used for deducting amounts.
１０から３を引くと７になる。
If you take away 3 from 10, you get 7.
To deduct or subtract, often used in financial contexts.
To order food at a restaurant and take it elsewhere to eat.
Noun meaning takeout. Often used in phrases like 持ち帰りにする (to get takeout).
この料理は持ち帰りできますか？
Can I take away this dish?
To derive a lesson, understanding, or feeling from something.
To learn or take away a lesson. Often used with 教訓 (lesson) or こと (thing).
この経験から多くのことを学んだ。
I took away a lot from this experience.
To gain or obtain something abstract, like knowledge or an impression.
その話から何かを得てほしい。
I hope you take away something from that story.
To remove or alleviate a negative sensation or emotion.
To remove or take away something unwanted, like pain or anxiety.
この薬が痛みを取り除いてくれる。
This medicine takes away the pain.
To ease or alleviate, often used for pain or stress.
To take a person into custody or to a place, often by police.
To take someone away, typically by authorities.
警察は容疑者を連行した。
The police took away the suspect.
To arrest; more formal and specific to legal detention.
彼はその場で逮捕された。
He was taken away on the spot.
English 'take away' is often used metaphorically (e.g., 'What did you take away from the meeting?'). In Japanese, use verbs like 学ぶ (manabu) or 得る (eru) instead of literal removal verbs.
取り上げる often implies taking from a person's possession, sometimes by authority. 持ち去る focuses on physically carrying something away, often used in crime contexts.
警察は彼を連行した。
The police took him away.
これ、持ち帰りできますか？
Can I take this away?
給料から税金が差し引かれる。
Tax is taken away from the salary.
Loanword from English, commonly used in Japan for takeout.
テイクアウトでお願いします。
I'd like to take away, please.
マッサージが疲れを和らげた。
The massage took away my fatigue.