Meet 取 in 取る, 取材 and 取得. Connect each whole word and its reading to a real context.

The idea

取 has 8 strokes; follow their order in the linked KanjiVG diagram. Compare 取る（とる） with 取材（しゅざい）. Learn the reading with the whole word, not the character in isolation.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
取るとるI take a book from the shelf.
取材しゅざいA journalist gathers information about the town’s history.
取得しゅとくI obtained a new qualification.

Examples

  • 棚たなから本ほんを取とります。I take a book from the shelf.
  • 荷物にもつを受付うけつけで受うけ取とりました。I collected the package at reception.
  • 先さきほど、注文ちゅうもんを取とり消けしました。I cancelled the order a little while ago.
  • 記者きしゃが町まちの歴史れきしを取材しゅざいします。A journalist gathers information about the town’s history.
  • 新あたらしい資格しかくを取得しゅとくしました。I obtained a new qualification.
  • 休やすみを取とって旅行りょこうに行いきます。I am taking time off to go travelling.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

取る means take or obtain; 撮る is used for taking photographs. Both are read とる, but their kanji and uses differ. Compare 取 and 撮: 撮 has 扌 on the left and 最 on the right.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 取る in hiragana.

    Show answer or example answer

    とる

    取る is read とる. In context: I take a book from the shelf.

  2. Write the reading of 取材 in hiragana.

    Show answer or example answer

    しゅざい

    取材 is read しゅざい. In context: A journalist gathers information about the town’s history.

  3. Write the missing kanji: ＿得（しゅとく）.

    Show answer or example answer

    取

    取 completes 取得, read しゅとく. In context: I obtained a new qualification.

Use it today

Write 取 three times using the stroke diagram. Cover the table, read 取る and 取材 aloud, then check their readings and meanings.