How to say "mediate" in Japanese

• 取り持つとりもつCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbThe common word: to act as a go-between, mediating between two parties or arranging something for them. Make this your default choice for the general sense of 'mediate'.
  ノルウェー人のるうぇーじん外交官がいこうかんが、歴史的れきしてき文書ぶんしょを生うんだ秘密ひみつ交渉こうしょうを取り持とりもった。↗

  The Norwegian diplomat mediated the secret negotiations that produced the historic document.
• とりなす
  godan verb, transitive verbTo mediate or intervene so as to smooth things over between the parties. Less common than 取り持つ, and normally written in kana alone.
  先生せんせいが二人ふたりの学生がくせいの口論こうろんを取り成とりなした。↗

  The teacher intervened in the quarrel between the two students.
• 間に立つあいだにたつ
  expression, godan verbAn idiomatic expression, literally 'to stand between': to mediate or intervene between parties. Less common than 取り持つ; the image is of placing oneself between the two sides.
• 介すかいす
  godan verb, suru verb (archaic), transitive verbTo use someone or something as an intermediary; by extension, to mediate or assist. A less common alternative to 取り持つ for 'mediate'.
• 口をきくくちをきく
  expression, godan verbAn idiomatic expression: to mediate by acting as a go-between or putting in a good word for someone — in effect, helping through what one says. Less common than 取り持つ.
  彼かれは私のために口くちをきいてくれた。↗

  He put in a good word for me.

「取り持つ」 is the common default for mediating as a go-between; 「とりなす」 adds a smoothing nuance, 「間に立つ」 pictures standing between the sides, 「介す」 uses an intermediary, and 「口をきく」 puts in a good word.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 取り持つとりもつto act as a go-between (for)
• とりなすto mediate
• 間に立つあいだにたつto mediate
• 介すかいすto use as an intermediary
• 口をきくくちをきくto mediate
• 肝を煎るきもをいるto take care of
• 分けるわけるto break up (a fight)