They both mean close to the same thing. "Take in" means "to gather", whereas "absorb" means "to incorporate". Think of them in the context of new information, like perhaps at a university lecture. You "take in" the information from the lecturer, but you will have to think about it and study it after the lecture ends to fully "absorb" or incorporate the knowledge. Does that make sense?

"Take in" also has many other meanings unrelated to "absorb". For example, it carries the meaning from Emma's example, to take in or alter a dress. Or you can take in a stray dog and make it your pet (ie adopt it as a pet), or take in the packages from the car (meaning bring the packages into the house).

It does depend on what you're saying. You can use 'take in' and 'absorb' sometimes to mean the same thing. Like your cells take in or absorb nutrients etc but there are other times when using both wouldn't make sense. E.g. to take in a dress 👗 (if you have lost weight and it is too loose). In this case you couldn't say absorb a dress. Just would sound totally wrong. I think you just have to learn it for each individual case unfortunately. Read this! https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absorb

Hi, I think it depends from the context. 1) They can be used in a specific way, and be completely different: -- When you swim you have to *take in your breath, so that the lungs can *absorb the oxygen. 2) They can be used as a synonym, if the context is not so specific: -- The new firm has taken in the old firm -- The new firm has absorbed the old firm That's my opinion. Ciao