取る|とるtoru[1]atamadaka (head-high)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto take; to pick up; to grab; to catch; to hold
- godan verb, transitive verbto pass; to hand; to give塩をとっていただけますか。↗Could you pass me the salt, please?
- godan verb, transitive verbto get; to obtain; to acquire; to win; to receive; to earn; to take (e.g. a vacation)
- godan verb, transitive verbto adopt (a method, proposal, etc.); to take (a measure, attitude, etc.); to choose
- godan verb, transitive verbto remove; to get rid of; to take off
- godan verb, transitive verbto take away; to steal; to rob
- godan verb, transitive verbto eat; to have (e.g. lunch); to take (e.g. vitamins)
- godan verb, transitive verbto pick (e.g. flowers); to gather; to extract (e.g. juice); to catch (e.g. fish); to harvest (a crop)
- godan verb, transitive verbto take up (time, space); to occupy; to spare; to set aside
- godan verb, transitive verbto secure; to reserve; to save; to put aside; to keep
- godan verb, transitive verbto take (e.g. a joke); to interpret; to understand; to make out; to grasp
- godan verb, transitive verbto record; to take down
- godan verb, transitive verbto subscribe to (e.g. a newspaper); to take; to buy; to get
- godan verb, transitive verbto order; to have delivered
- godan verb, transitive verbto charge; to fine; to take (tax)
- godan verb, transitive verbto take (e.g. a wife); to take on (e.g. an apprentice); to adopt; to accept
- godan verb, transitive verbto take control of; to take (the rudder)
- godan verb, transitive verbto compete (in sumo, cards, etc.); to play
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 取る（とる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 取ります（とります） |
| Negative (nai) | 取らない（とらない） |
| polite (masen) | 取りません（とりません） |
| classical zu / nu | 取らず・取らぬ（とらず・とらぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 取った（とった） |
| polite (mashita) | 取りました（とりました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 取らなかった（とらなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 取りませんでした（とりませんでした） |
| Te form | 取って（とって） |
| Potential | 取れる（とれる） |
| Passive | 取られる（とられる） |
| Causative | 取らせる（とらせる） |
| Causative passive | 取らせられる・取らされる（とらせられる・とらされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 取れば（とれば） |
| tara | 取ったら（とったら） |
| Volitional | 取ろう（とろう） |
| polite (mashou) | 取りましょう（とりましょう） |
| Imperative | 取れ（とれ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
ボタンが取れる
ボタンを取る
With 取れる, ボタン is the grammatical subject marked by が, focusing on the button's coming off; with 取る, ボタン is the object marked by を, focusing on the action of removing it.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym採るとるNeutralFor adopting an opinion or policy, or gathering flowers and insects, as in 「意見を採る」「キノコを採る」; 「取る」 is the general-purpose word.
- Synonym拾うひろうNeutralPicking up something lying on the ground, as in 「財布を拾う」; 「取る」 is not limited to taking from the ground.
- Synonym執るとるWrittenWritten/formal prose. Taking charge of duties or directing, as in 「指揮を執る」「筆を執る」; its objects are limited to things like posts or the pen.
- Synonym得るえるWrittenWritten/formal prose. Gaining or obtaining something, as in 「利益を得る」; 「取る」 works in both speech and writing.
- Synonym手にするてにするNeutralHolding something in your hand or getting it into your hands, as in 「賞を手にする」; slightly bookish.
- Related取り上げるとりあげるNeutralPicking something up, adopting it, or taking it up as a topic, as in 「問題を取り上げる」; it can also mean confiscating.
- RelatedつまむNeutralPicking something up between the fingers or with chopsticks, or nibbling on it, as in 「おつまみを摘む」.
- RelatedいただくFormalFormal. The humble counterpart of 「もらう」 and 「食べる」, as in 「お土産を頂く」; not limited to receiving from superiors.
- Related受け入れるうけいれるNeutralAccepting opinions or requests and taking people in, as in 「提案を受け入れる」; the emphasis is on approving.
- Related受け取るうけとるNeutralReceiving something handed over by someone, or interpreting their words and actions, as in 「手紙を受け取る」.
- Related取り払うとりはらうNeutralClearing something away or dismantling it entirely, as in 「障害物を取り払う」; the emphasis is on removing it completely.
- Related取り除くとりのぞくNeutralGetting rid of unwanted or in-the-way things, as in 「不安を取り除く」.
- Related得るえるWrittenWritten/formal prose. Gaining or obtaining something, as in 「利益を得る」; 「取る」 works in both speech and writing.
- Related持ち上げるもちあげるNeutralLifting something upward, and figuratively flattering someone, as in 「荷物を持ち上げる」; the emphasis is on upward motion.
- Related奪い取るうばいとるNeutralSnatching something away by force, as in 「財布を奪い取る」; carries a violent overtone.
- Related取り去るとりさるWrittenWritten/formal prose. Taking something away or eliminating it, as in 「汚れを取り去る」; less common than 「取り除く」.
- Antonym与えるあたえるWrittenAntonym. Written/formal prose. Giving something to someone; it stands opposite 「取る」 on the take-versus-give axis.
- Antonym渡すわたすNeutralAntonym. Handing or passing something to someone, as in 「書類を渡す」; since 「取る」 can also mean handing something over, they are not always opposites.
For taking or picking something up, 「取る」 is the default, and it also covers obtaining, as in 「資格を取る」. Use 「拾う」 for picking up off the ground, 「採る」 for adopting or gathering, 「受け取る」 for receiving, 「取り除く」 for removing, and 「頂く」 for accepting humbly.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
