取り組む
とりくむ·torikumu
Meaning
to tackle; to work on; to grapple with
Nuance & Usage
取り組む means to engage with or tackle a task, problem, or challenge with serious effort. 課題に取り組む (kadai ni torikumu) means 'to tackle a task.' 取り組み (torikumi) as a noun means 'effort/initiative.' It implies active, committed engagement rather than passive involvement. It is widely used in business, education, and news. Unlike やる (yaru — to do), 取り組む conveys dedication and seriousness.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 取り組む too casually. It implies serious, sustained effort — don't use it for trivial tasks. 宿題に取り組む (tackling homework) works, but 昼ご飯に取り組む sounds odd. The particle is に: 問題に取り組む (to tackle a problem). Also, the noun form 取り組み is very common in business Japanese — 新しい取り組み means 'a new initiative.'
Example Sentences (3)
環境問題に積極的に取り組んでいる。
かんきょうもんだいにせっきょくてきにとりくんでいる。
We are actively tackling environmental issues.
難しい課題にも前向きに取り組む姿勢が大切だ。
むずかしいかだいにもまえむきにとりくむしせいがたいせつだ。
It is important to have a positive attitude when tackling difficult tasks.
彼は毎朝、研究に取り組んでいる。
かれはまいあさ、けんきゅうにとりくんでいる。
He works on his research every morning.
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
N24 questionsTest your knowledge of 取り組む with 4 different question types.
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