Japanese word

取り組む

Pronunciation

Romajitorikumu

Meaning

  • verbwork on

Example

毎日、宿題に取り組みます。mai nichi shuku dai ni to ri ku mi ma su

I work on my homework every day.

Illustration for 取り組む (work on)

More examples

チームで同じ課題に取り組んでいます。chī mu de ona ji ka dai ni to ri ku n de i ma su

We are working on the same task as a team.

Core concept

Describes actively directing effort toward a task, problem, or goal until it is dealt with.

Common phrases

  • 課題に取り組むka dai ni to ri ku mu

    work on a task

  • 問題に取り組むmon dai ni to ri ku mu

    work on a problem

  • 勉強に取り組むben kyō ni to ri ku mu

    work on one's studies

Similar words

取りかかるtorikakaru: To start dealing with a task or problem.
挑むidomu: To face a difficult task or goal and try to achieve it.
励むhagemu: To work steadily and earnestly at an activity or task.
努めるtsutomeru: To try to achieve a result or perform an action.

Definition in Japanese

課題や仕事などに、真剣に力を尽くして向き合う。ka dai ya shi goto na do ni shin ken ni chikara o tsu ku shi te mu ki a u

Word origin

The Japanese compound 取り組む (torikumu) combines 取る (toru, "take") and 組む (kumu, "join or engage"); its earlier sense was to grapple with someone, which extended to working seriously on a task.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 取り組む (torikumu) commonly takes the particle に (ni), as in 宿題に取り組む (shukudai ni torikumu), while English uses work on with a direct object.

Other meanings

  • tackleverb
  • take onverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word