取る

The Japanese verb 取る (toru) is one of the most versatile and essential words in the Japanese language, particularly for those at the A2 level. At its core, it describes the physical act of reaching out and grasping something with one's hand. However, its utility extends far beyond simple physical movement, encompassing concepts of acquisition, removal, and even the passage of time. Understanding toru is akin to understanding the English word 'take,' but with specific Japanese nuances that dictate its use in daily life, from the kitchen to the classroom.

Physical Interaction

The primary use involves picking up an object. If a pen falls, you toru it. If you need the salt at the dinner table, you ask someone to toru it for you. This sense of 'picking up' or 'handing over' is the foundation of the word.

Acquisition and Achievement

In an academic or professional context, toru is used for getting grades (ten o toru) or obtaining a license (menkyo o toru). It implies a successful effort to gain something that was sought after.

Removal and Subtraction

Interestingly, it also means to remove something. Taking off a hat (boushi o toru) or removing a stain (yogore o toru) uses this verb. It suggests the act of separating one thing from another.

When you are in a restaurant, you might hear the staff say 'O-chuumon o otorishimasu,' which uses the humble form of toru to mean 'I will take your order.' In this context, it isn't about physical grasping but about receiving information. Similarly, in the world of photography, toru is the standard verb for 'taking' a photo, though it is often written with a different kanji (撮る) in more advanced writing. For beginners, the general toru (取る) is often acceptable in casual conversation.

Culturally, toru reflects the Japanese emphasis on the interaction between the subject and the environment. Whether you are 'taking' a seat (seki o toru) or 'taking' a break (kyuukei o toru), the verb emphasizes the action of securing or occupying a space or time. It is a proactive verb, suggesting that the person is actively engaging with their surroundings to obtain or achieve something. In social settings, asking someone to 'take' something for you is a common way to initiate polite interaction.

Communication Nuance

When using toru in requests, the te-form + kudasai (totte kudasai) is standard. However, among friends, you might simply say 'totte' with a rising intonation to mean 'pass it to me.'

Finally, it is important to note that toru is a Godan verb (Group 1). This means its conjugation follows the 'u' to 'i' pattern for the polite form (torimasu) and the 'u' to 'tte' pattern for the te-form (totte). Mastering these basic conjugations is crucial because toru appears in so many compound expressions and daily phrases. Whether you are taking a message (denngon o toru) or taking a bath (though 'hairu' is more common for the bath itself, 'yu o toru' can refer to the water), this verb is a workhorse of the Japanese language.

Using 取る (toru) correctly requires an understanding of its transitivity and the particles that typically accompany it. As a transitive verb, it almost always takes the direct object particle を (o). The basic structure is [Subject] は [Object] を 取る. For example, 'Watashi wa shimbun o torimasu' (I take/get the newspaper). This structure is the bedrock of using the verb in almost any context, whether physical or abstract.

The 'Te-form' for Requests

Because toru often involves objects that are out of reach, it is frequently used in the te-form to ask for help. 'Totte kudasai' is the polite way to say 'Please pass it to me' or 'Please pick it up.' In a more casual setting, 'totte moraeru?' (Can you take it for me?) is very common.

The Potential Form: 取れる (Toreru)

The potential form toreru means 'can take' or 'can be taken.' It is often used to describe things that are obtainable. For example, 'Kono mise de wa ii yasai ga toremasu' (You can get good vegetables at this shop). It also describes things coming off, like 'Botan ga toremashita' (The button came off).

When discussing time or breaks, toru is used with nouns like 'yasumi' (vacation/rest) or 'jikan' (time). 'Yasumi o toru' means to take a day off. This is a crucial phrase for office workers. If you want to say 'I will take a three-day holiday,' you would say 'Mikka-kan no yasumi o torimasu.' Here, the verb functions to indicate the act of securing time for oneself. Similarly, 'jikan o toru' can mean to set aside time for a specific task.

In more complex sentences, toru can be combined with other verbs. For instance, 'totte oku' means to set something aside or keep something for later. 'Kono keeki wa ashita no tame ni totte okimasu' (I will keep this cake for tomorrow). This 'te-oku' construction is very common with toru because it emphasizes the preparatory nature of taking something now to use it later. Another common combination is 'totte kuru,' which means 'to go and get' something. 'Wasuremono o totte kimasu' (I'll go and get the thing I forgot).

Passive Voice: 取られる (Torareru)

The passive form torareru is often used when something is taken away from you, sometimes with a negative connotation like being stolen or losing a seat. 'Saifu o toraremashita' (My wallet was taken/stolen).

Finally, let's look at the usage in the context of 'choosing' or 'adopting.' When you choose a specific path or method, toru can be used. 'Saizen no houhou o toru' (To take/adopt the best method). This is more formal but shows the breadth of the verb. For A2 learners, focusing on the physical 'pick up,' the 'get/obtain' (grades/license), and the 'take' (time/break) will cover 90% of daily situations. Always remember that the particle o is your best friend when using toru.

The verb 取る (toru) is ubiquitous in Japanese daily life. You will hear it from the moment you wake up until you go to bed. In a Japanese household, it's common to hear family members asking each other to pass items during meals. 'Shouyu totte' (Pass the soy sauce) is a classic example of the verb in its most natural, casual setting. It's also heard frequently in schools, workplaces, and public spaces like stations and restaurants.

In the Classroom

Teachers often say 'Note o totte kudasai' (Please take notes). Here, toru refers to the act of recording information. You'll also hear students discussing their grades: 'Ii ten o totta!' (I got a good grade!).

At the Office

Business settings use toru for communication and scheduling. 'Renraku o toru' (to get in touch) is a vital phrase. You might also hear 'Apo o toru' (to make/take an appointment) or 'Kyoka o toru' (to get permission).

In public service announcements or at train stations, you might hear 'Te-suri ni o-tsukamari kudasai' for holding handrails, but toru appears in contexts like 'Seiri-ken o o-tori kudasai' (Please take a numbered ticket) when boarding a bus in rural areas. In restaurants, as mentioned before, the staff 'takes' your order. If you're at a revolving sushi bar (kaiten-zushi), the action of picking a plate off the belt is described as 'sara o toru.'

In the digital world, toru is used for 'taking' screenshots or 'getting' data. While 'kyapucha suru' (to capture) is also used, 'sukusho o toru' (take a screenshot) is very common among younger people. You'll also hear it in the context of subscriptions or taking out insurance: 'Hoken o toru' or 'Sabusuku o toru' (though 'keiyaku suru' is more formal). The word is so ingrained that it often acts as a placeholder for more specific verbs in casual speech.

Daily Chores

When doing laundry, 'Sentakumono o取り込む (torikomu)' is the specific verb for bringing it in, but you might hear 'Sentakumono o toru' in simple conversation. Similarly, 'Shimbun o toru' means to subscribe to or go out and get the newspaper.

Finally, in social settings, toru is used for 'taking' a seat or 'making' a reservation. If you are at a crowded cafe, you might ask a friend, 'Seki totte oite!' (Secure/take a seat for us!). This use of 'toru' implies a sense of ownership or reservation of space. It's a very active verb that shows the speaker's intent to interact with their environment to ensure a certain outcome.

While 取る (toru) is versatile, its similarity to the English word 'take' leads to several common pitfalls for English speakers. The most significant mistake is using toru to mean 'taking a person somewhere.' In English, we say 'I will take you to the station,' but in Japanese, toru only applies to inanimate objects or abstract concepts. Using toru for people sounds like you are physically picking them up and carrying them like a package!

Taking People vs. Objects

Wrong: Tomodachi o eki ni torimasu. (Incorrect)
Right: Tomodachi o eki ni tsurete ikimasu. (Correct)
Always use 'tsurete iku' for people and 'motte iku' for carrying objects to a place.

Confusing 'Toru' with 'Morau'

'Toru' implies an active taking or picking up. 'Morau' means to receive something given by someone else. If a friend gives you a gift, you morau it. If you grab a free pamphlet from a stand, you toru it. Using toru when someone is kindly giving you something can sound a bit aggressive or rude.

Another common error is the confusion between toru and motsu (to hold). Toru is the action of getting or picking up, while motsu is the state of holding or possessing. If you are already holding a bag, you say 'Kaban o motte imasu.' You only use toru for the initial moment of picking it up. Beginners often say 'Kaban o torimasu' when they actually mean they are currently carrying it.

In English, we 'take' medicine. In Japanese, you 'drink' (nomu) medicine. Saying 'kusuri o toru' sounds like you are just picking up the pill bottle, not actually consuming the medication. This is a very frequent 'Japanglish' error. Similarly, we 'take' a shower in English, but in Japanese, you 'bathe' in it (shawaa o abiru). Using toru here will confuse Japanese listeners.

Taking a Taxi

In English, we 'take a taxi.' In Japanese, you 'ride' a taxi (takushii ni noru) or 'call/catch' a taxi (takushii o tsukamaeru). Using toru for transportation is generally incorrect unless you are 'taking' a specific route or 'taking' a seat on a train.

Lastly, be careful with the phrase 'taking time.' While 'jikan o toru' is used for setting aside time, if you want to say 'it takes time' (duration), the verb is kakaru. 'Eki made juuppun kakarimasu' (It takes 10 minutes to the station). Using toru here would imply you are actively seizing those ten minutes, which doesn't make sense in the context of duration.

Japanese has several verbs that overlap with 取る (toru), and choosing the right one can significantly improve your fluency. While toru is the general 'take,' other words provide more specific detail about how or why something is being taken. Understanding these distinctions is key to moving from A2 to B1 level.

拾う (Hirou) vs. 取る (Toru)

拾う (Hirou) specifically means to pick something up from the ground or a low surface. It often implies finding something lost. 取る (Toru) is more general and can be used for taking something from a table, a shelf, or someone's hand.

受ける (Ukeru) vs. 取る (Toru)

When 'taking' an exam, you use 受ける (Ukeru). If you 'take' (get) a good grade on that exam, you use 取る (Toru). Ukeru implies receiving or undergoing an action, while toru implies the result or the acquisition.

Another important alternative is 握る (Nigiru). This means to grasp or clench something tightly in your hand, like a sushi ball (nigiri-zushi) or a steering wheel. While you might toru a pen to use it, you nigiru a bat when you're about to swing. Nigiru emphasizes the strength and shape of the hand's grip, whereas toru focuses on the act of acquisition.

In formal or professional contexts, you might encounter 得る (Eru/Uru), which means to obtain or gain, often used for knowledge, permission, or profit. While 'kyoka o toru' (get permission) is common in daily life, 'kyoka o eru' is more formal. Similarly, 奪う (Ubau) is a much stronger version of toru, meaning to snatch, rob, or take by force. If someone 'takes' your heart or 'takes' a life, ubau is the verb used in literature and news.

Kanji Variations

• 撮る: Specifically for photos/videos.
• 採る: For collecting samples, hiring people, or adopting measures.
• 捕る: For catching fish or insects.
• 執る: For performing duties or taking the lead (very formal).

Finally, consider 盗む (Nusumu), which means 'to steal.' While 'torareru' (to have something taken) can imply theft, nusumu is the direct verb for the criminal act. If you want to emphasize that someone 'took' your bike illegally, you would use nusumu. In summary, while toru is your 'go-to' verb, always be aware of the specific context to see if a more descriptive alternative like hirou, ukeru, or nigiru might be more appropriate.