Meaning
The kanji 取 primarily expresses the action of "to take," "to fetch," "to get," "to obtain," "to pick up," or "to choose." It encompasses the act of acquiring something, whether physically or abstractly. At its core, it signifies grasping, selecting, or making something one's own. This highly versatile kanji is among the most frequently used in daily Japanese, appearing in countless verbs and compound words.
Historically, 取 is believed to be a pictographic-ideographic character. It's composed of two radicals: 又, representing a "right hand," and 耳 (mimi), meaning "ear." The ancient form is said to depict a hand taking an ear. This imagery stems from ancient battlefield customs, where warriors would collect the ears of defeated enemies as trophies or proof of their kills. Though this gruesome original context is now far removed from its modern usage, the fundamental action of "taking" or "grasping" with a hand remains central to its meaning.
Visually, you can still perceive the hand radical 又 at the bottom, signifying the action of grasping. The upper part, though stylized, historically represented the ear—the object being taken. Over time, its meaning broadened from the literal act of taking a trophy to a more general sense of acquiring, selecting, or adopting something. Today, it's a highly versatile kanji, appearing in a wide range of everyday expressions.
This kanji has 8 strokes and is taught to students in Grade 3 of elementary school in Japan, making it a relatively early and frequently encountered kanji.
Readings
The kanji 取 has both On'yomi (Chinese-derived readings) and Kun'yomi (native Japanese readings), each used in different contexts and compound words.
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi for 取 is シュ (SHU). You'll typically find this reading in multi-kanji compound words, where it often carries a more formal, academic, or administrative nuance. It rarely appears as a standalone word.
取材 (shuzai) — This term refers to "news gathering," "data collection," or "reporting." It implies actively going out to collect information, often by interviewing or observing.
摂取 (sesshu) — Meaning "intake" or "absorption," especially referring to nutrients, medication, or calories. It describes the act of taking something into one's body.
聴取 (chōshu) — This means "listening," "hearing," or "interrogation." It implies an official act of listening to someone's statement or taking testimony.
採取 (saishu) — Meaning "collecting," "gathering," or "sampling." Often used in scientific or industrial contexts, like collecting specimens or data.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings are derived from native Japanese words that carry the meaning of the kanji. These are often used when the kanji stands alone or as part of a verb conjugation.
と.る (to.ru): This is the most common Kun'yomi and forms the basic verb "to take." It has a wide range of applications, from physically picking something up to acquiring an abstract concept.
取る (toru) — The fundamental verb "to take," "to pick up," "to get," "to obtain." For example: 本を取る (hon o toru) — to take a book.
時間を取る (jikan o toru) — to take time, to make time.
休憩を取る (kyūkei o toru) — to take a break.
**と.り (to.ri), と.り
(to.ri-), とり
(tori-)**: These are used in compound verbs or as prefixes, often creating new nuanced meanings.
取り消す (torikesu) — "to cancel," "to revoke." The act of taking something back or undoing it.
取り出す (toridasu) — "to take out," "to extract." To remove something from inside.
取り引き (torihiki) — "transaction," "deal." The act of exchanging or trading.
取り組む (torikumu) — "to tackle," "to engage in," "to grapple with." To apply oneself to a task.
取り付ける (toritsukeru) — "to install," "to set up," "to attach." To take and attach something.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 取 is incredibly versatile, forming countless compound words in Japanese that span a broad spectrum of meanings, including taking, acquiring, handling, and engaging. Below are some of the most frequently encountered examples, grouped by theme:
General Actions and Processes
取る (toru) — to take, to pick up, to get, to obtain. This is the fundamental verb form, used for myriad actions from picking up an object to obtaining a license.
取り消し (torikeshi) — cancellation, revoke. The act of taking back or nullifying something, often a reservation or a decision.
取り替え (torikae) — exchange, replacement. The act of taking one thing and giving another in its place.
手取り (tedori) — net (income), take-home pay. The amount of money you actually "take by hand" after taxes and deductions.
取り扱い (toriatsukai) — handling, treatment, dealing with. How something is managed or operated.
取得 (shutoku) — acquisition, obtainment. A more formal term for acquiring something, such as a qualification, property, or knowledge.
Interactions and Relationships
取り引き (torihiki) — transaction, deal, business. The act of engaging in a commercial or financial exchange.
取り込む (torikomu) — to take in, to incorporate, to load; to be busy. This verb can mean to bring something inside (like laundry: 洗濯物を取り込む), to absorb information, or to be swamped with work.
受け取り (uketori) — receipt, receiving. The act of taking something that has been given to you.
引取り (hikitori) — collection, withdrawal. The act of picking up something or withdrawing an item.
Information and Communication
取材 (shuzai) — news gathering, data collection, reporting. The active process of collecting information for media or research.
聞き取り (kikitori) — listening comprehension, oral interview. The act of taking in information by listening.
Effort and Commitment
取り組む (torikumu) — to tackle, to engage in, to grapple with. To commit oneself to an issue, problem, or task.
取り急ぎ (toriisogi) — in haste, urgently, for the time being. Often used at the beginning of an email or letter to indicate a temporary or quick message.
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences demonstrating the practical use of 取 in various contexts, from simple everyday actions to more complex expressions:
棚から本を取ってください。
Tana kara hon o totte kudasai.
Please take a book from the shelf.
彼は昨日、運転免許を取得しました。
Kare wa kinō, unten menkyo o shutoku shimashita.
He obtained his driver's license yesterday.
今日は疲れたので、早めに休憩を取りたいです。
Kyō wa tsukareta node, hayame ni kyūkei o toritai desu.
I'm tired today, so I want to take a break early.
飛行機のチケットを取り消すことができますか。
Hikōki no chiketto o torikesu koto ga dekimasu ka.
Can I cancel my airplane ticket?
部長は新しいプロジェクトに意欲的に取り組んでいます。
Buchō wa atarashii purojekuto ni iyokuteki ni torikunde imasu.
The department head is enthusiastically tackling the new project.
健康維持のため、バランスの取れた食事を摂取することが大切です。
Kenkō iji no tame, baransu no toreta shokuji o sesshu suru koto ga taisetsu desu.
To maintain health, it's important to consume a balanced diet.
記者が事件の取材のために現場へ向かいました。
Kisha ga jiken no shuzai no tame ni genba e mukaemashita.
The reporter headed to the scene to gather news about the incident.
書類をファイルから取り出すのに時間がかかった。
Shorui o fairu kara toridasu no ni jikan ga kakatta.
It took time to take the documents out of the file.
来週、銀行で大きな取引を行う予定です。
Raishū, ginkō de ōkina torihiki o okonau yotei desu.
Next week, I plan to conduct a large transaction at the bank.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 取, focus on its components. The bottom part is 又, the radical for a "right hand." The top part, while historically representing an ear (耳), can be imagined as any object being held. Picture a hand (又) reaching out to take (取) an item (the top part). This simple visual of grabbing or picking something up with your hand directly links the kanji's shape to its core meaning of "to take" or "to get." You might also visualize a hand picking a piece of fruit. The key is to associate the hand with the act of acquiring an object.