持ち出す

• Reading: もちだす
• Romaji: mochidasu
• Kanji breakdown: 持 (ji/mo) — to hold, carry; 出 (shutsu/da) — to exit, produce
• Pronunciation: /mo.tɕi.da.sɯ/

Meaning

To take out; to carry out; to bring up (a topic); to introduce (a sensitive or unexpected subject) into a conversation.

A Group 1 (godan) verb. Literally means to take something out of a place (such as carrying documents from a building). Figuratively it means to raise or introduce a topic — especially one that is sensitive, inconvenient, or unexpected. The figurative sense (話を持ち出す) is highly common in N1 contexts.

Examples

1. 彼女は突然離婚の話を持ち出し、その場の空気を凍りつかせた。 She suddenly brought up the topic of divorce and froze the atmosphere in the room.
2. 重要書類を無断で持ち出すことは厳禁されている。 Taking important documents out without permission is strictly prohibited.
3. 今さらそんな古い話を持ち出しても意味がない。 There's no point in bringing up such an old story now.

Usage Guide

Context: conversation, workplace, disputes, documents

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 持ち (carrying, holding — from 持つ) and 出す (to put out, to produce). The image is of physically bringing something out of a container or space, extended to introducing topics into a conversation.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal