What is the difference between "とる" and "取る"?

"とる" means "to take (a photo), to pick up, to get (a holiday)" (N5), whereas "取る" represents "to take; to pick up; to get" (N4).

Kanji Homophone Battle

Pronunciation Trap: "とる (toru)"

Same sound, completely different Kanji! Choose the right conceptual writing.

Kanji Option A

とる (toru)

N5 / CEFR

Kanji Option B

とる (toru)

N4 / CEFR

In Japanese, many words share the exact same pronunciation "とる (toru)" but are written with different Kanji, changing the meaning entirely.

とる (Level: N5): Translates to "to take (a photo), to pick up, to get (a holiday)" and is used when A versatile verb. Common N5 meanings include 'to take a photo'.
取る (Level: N4): Maps to "to take; to pick up; to get" and carries the nuance of 非常に多くの意味を持つ動詞です。物をつかむ、手に入れる、時間や休みを取るなど、文脈によって使い分けられます。.

Mixing these up can easily result in unnatural writing. Look at the bilingual context cards below to master the conceptual boundaries!

Bilingual Context for "とる"

公園で写真を撮ります。

I take photos in the park.

Bilingual Context for "取る"

本棚から本を取ってください。

Please take a book from the bookshelf.

Which Kanji perfectly fits this blank space?

Which Kanji perfectly fits the blank: "公園で写真を撮ります。" (Meaning: "I take photos in the park.")

🎉 Correct Answer!

Correct! "とる" is used for "to take (a photo), to pick up, to get (a holiday)" in the context: "I take photos in the park.".