How to say "undertake" in Japanese

• やるJLPT N5approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers the plain sense of doing or performing something; when English 'undertake' amounts to no more than 'do a task', this casual everyday verb is the natural choice.
  ああ、君きみがやったんだね。↗

  Aha, you did it, didn't you?
• 引き受けるひきうけるJLPT N2approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbThe go-to verb for accepting or taking on a task, duty, or responsibility: you agree to handle something and see it through, whether a job, a role, or a burden.
  その仕事しごとを引き受ひきうけようかなと思おもっている。↗

  I'm wondering whether to take on that job.
• 請け合ううけあうCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbUndertaking a task in a way that vouches for it: you take it on while assuring the other party it will be done, so the word often carries a 'leave it to me' flavor.
• 請け負ううけおうCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbThe word for undertaking work by contract: a builder, firm, or contractor formally agrees to complete a job and bears responsibility for seeing it done.
  彼かれはこのすべての仕事しごとをただで請け負うけおった。↗

  He has taken all this work for nothing.
• 承るうけたまわるJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbHumble language: a shop, firm, or service speaker uses this to accept an order, request, or reservation, receiving it deferentially rather than simply taking it on.
  ご用ようは承うけたまわっておりますか。↗

  Is anybody waiting on you?

Use 「やる」 when 'undertake' just means do a task casually, 「引き受ける」 for accepting a duty or job, 「請け合う」 for taking one on with a personal guarantee, 「請け負う」 for contracted work, and 「承る」 for humbly accepting orders or reservations.

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

• やるto do
• 引き受けるひきうけるto take on
• 請け合ううけあうto undertake
• 請け負ううけおうto contract (to do)
• 買って出るかってでるto take upon oneself
• 承るうけたまわるto receive (order)
• 企てるくわだてるto attempt (e.g. suicide, murder)
• 取り付くとりつくto set about doing
• 取っ付くとっつくto set about doing
• 当たるあたるto undertake