What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of これ (this), the object marker o and the te-form of uketoru (to receive/accept).
Which one should you use?
どうぞ受け取ってください and どうぞお受け取りください are used for formal situations, such as giving a gift to a boss or offering something to a customer.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form これを受け取って is an informal request used with friends or people of lower social status. In formal or business settings, the honorific o…kudasai construction is used instead of the standard te-form, such as in これをお受け取りください. Other formal options include どうぞ受け取ってください and どうぞお受け取りください. The version これを取って is also an informal way to say 'take this'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding kudasai to the end of the te-form uketotte to create これを受け取ってください makes the request more polite and complete.
How do you pronounce it?
kore o uketotte
Did you know?
- If you are offering a gift in a formal setting, you might say つまらないものですが instead of 'take this'. This translates to 'it is a trifling thing', a humble way to downplay the value of your gift to avoid sounding boastful.
- In Japan, the physical way you hand an object over is as important as the words used. To avoid looking rude, you should use both hands to present an object when using formal versions of 'take this'.
- Japanese has a distinct grammar for giving and receiving based on social hierarchy. While uketotte is used for the recipient, the giver's action is described by different verbs depending on whether the gift goes 'up' or 'down' the social ladder.
Example conversation
Yui is giving a small gift to Kenta.
- 結衣 Yui健太、これを受け取って。Kenta, kore o uketotte.Kenta, please take this.
- 健太 Kentaえっ、何これ？E, nani kore?Huh, what is this?
- 結衣 Yui誕生日のプレゼントだよ。Tanjoubi no purezento dayo.It's a birthday present.
- 健太 Kentaありがとう、結衣！Arigatou, Yui!Thank you, Yui!
