Japanese word

取る

Pronunciation

Romajitoru

Meaning

  • verbtake

Example

本を取ります。hon o to ri ma su

I pick up the book.

Illustration for 取る (take)

More examples

棚から本を取ります。tana ka ra hon o to ri ma su

I take a book from the shelf.

入り口で番号札を取ります。i ri guchi de ban gō satsu o to ri ma su

I take a numbered ticket at the entrance.

Core concept

Describes taking hold of an object and bringing it under one's control, whether by grasping it, picking it up, or catching it.

Common phrases

  • 手に取るte ni to ru

    pick up

  • 席を取るseki o to ru

    reserve a seat

  • メモを取るme mo o to ru

    take notes

  • 休みを取るyasu mi o to ru

    take time off

  • 予約を取るyo yaku o to ru

    make a reservation

Similar words

つかむtsukamu: To grasp an object firmly with the hand.
拾うhirou: To pick up an object from a surface or the ground.
受け取るuketoru: To take something that another person gives or sends.

Definition in Japanese

手や道具を使って、物を自分の手元に移すこと。te ya dō gu o tsuka tte mono o ji bun no te moto ni utsu su ko to

Word origin

取る (toru) is a native Japanese verb, not a loanword, and its Old Japanese form is recorded as とる (toru).

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 取る (toru) fits picking up a book, whereas carrying that book away is expressed with 持っていく (motte iku).

Other meanings

  • grabverb
  • holdverb
  • pick upverb
  • catchverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 取り方torikataway of takingnoun

Word lists with this word