取り掛かる・取りかかる|とりかかるtorikakaru[4]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. godan verb, intransitive verbto begin (doing); to start; to set about; to get down to
   彼かれは犬小屋いぬごや作つくりに取とりかかった。↗

   He went about making a doghouse.

• Synonym仕掛けるしかけるNeutralTo begin something, but polysemous — also to set traps or pick a fight; stresses taking the initiative in starting.
• Synonym乗り出すのりだすNeutralLiterally to set out or set sail; figuratively to launch energetically into a new undertaking, as in 「調査に乗り出す」 or 「新事業に乗り出す」.
• Synonym始めるはじめるNeutralThe most versatile word for starting or founding something; it lacks the hands-on feel of getting down to work that 「取り掛かる」 has.
• Synonym着手ちゃくしゅWrittenA Sino-Japanese word for setting to work, as in 「工事に着手」; belongs to written, formal prose.
• SynonymスタートNeutralLoanword for a start or the start of a race; common in speech, and mostly said of an event or activity as a whole beginning.
• Synonym開始かいしWrittenWritten, formal word for beginning or opening, as in 「試合開始」.
• Synonym踏み出すふみだすNeutralTo take the first step, figuratively embarking on something new; carries a nuance of courage.
• Synonym仕掛かるしかかるNeutralHaving started something and being partway through it, or just having begun; stresses the half-done state, while 「取り掛かる」 stresses setting to work.
• Synonymし始めるしはじめるNeutralFormed from 「する」 plus 「始める」; marks the point where doing something begins, as in 「勉強をし始める」. 「取り掛かる」 stresses getting down to the work itself.
• SynonymしだすNeutralColloquial for starting to do something; also to cater, making and delivering food. 「取り掛かる」 is about setting to proper work.
• SynonymやりだすCasualColloquial and casual for starting to do something; 「取り掛かる」 suggests settling seriously to the task.
• SynonymおっぱじめるCasualRough, colloquial word for hurriedly starting something, as in 「喧嘩をおっ始める」.
• Synonymやり始めるやりはじめるNeutralColloquial synonym of 「し始める」 for starting to do something; stresses the moment of beginning.
• Related発足ほっそくWrittenFor an organization, system or movement formally launching or starting operation; not used of an individual setting to a task. Written/formal register.
• Related始業しぎょうNeutralThe start of the day's work or of a school term; tied to work and school schedules.
• RelatedアプローチNeutralLoanword for approaching something or one's way of tackling it; stresses the angle or method of attack rather than the act of beginning.
• Antonym終えるおえるNeutralAntonym: to finish or complete; the opposite of 「取り掛かる」's setting to work.
• Antonym仕上げるしあげるNeutralAntonym: to finish up and put the final touches on; opposite of starting, focused on bringing the work to its final form.
• Antonym完了するNeutralAntonym: to complete, to have entirely finished; a formal-leaning opposite of starting in on something.

Use 「取り掛かる」 for getting down to a task at hand, as in 「仕事に取り掛かる」. For starting in general, 「始める」 is the all-purpose choice; in formal writing say 「着手」; for launching energetically into something new, 「乗り出す」. The antonyms are 「終える」 and 「仕上げる」.

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

1. 手てを付つける。着手ちゃくしゅする。
2. 気きに掛かかる。
3. すがりつく。
4. 立ち向たちむかう。