取る
toru
To take in Japanese is 取る (toru).
The verb 取る is used to describe getting or grasping something with one's hand. Beyond physical grasping, it is used abstractly for actions such as taking a break, taking attendance or taking a position/leadership.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate the object being taken, use the particle を (o) before it. For the past tense, use 取った (took). To express the negative, use 取らない (do not take). For a polite past tense, use 取りました (took).
How do you pronounce it?
toru
Did you know?
- Japanese has several words for 'take' depending on the intent, such as 連れて行く for taking a person. Using 取る for a person would imply physically grabbing them or kidnapping them.
- If you are 'taking' a medicine, Japanese uses the verb 飲む (nomu), which literally means 'to drink', regardless of whether the medicine is a pill or a liquid.
- When you 'take' a telephone call, you use the verb 出る (deru), which means 'to go out' or 'to appear'.
Examples in context
- 出席を取るぞ。I'm going to take attendance.This sentence shows how to use 取る for the action of taking attendance.Tatoeba #10910324 by small_snow, translation #10910334 by CK
- 休みを取る余裕なんてないよ。I can't afford to take a day off.This sentence demonstrates using 取る in the context of taking a day off.Tatoeba #11545932 by small_snow, translation #12457507 by CK
- 彼女は党の指輝を取ることに承諾した。She has consented to take the leadership of the party.This sentence illustrates the abstract use of 取る when taking leadership.Tatoeba #1841375 by bunbuku, translation #311376 by CM
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 取る, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
