手繰り寄せる

• Reading: たぐりよせる
• Romaji: taguriyo seru
• Kanji breakdown: 手 (shu/te) — hand | 繰 (ku) — to reel, to handle | 寄 (ki/yo) — to draw near
• Pronunciation: /ta.ɡɯ.ɾi.jo.se.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To pull in hand over hand; to draw toward oneself; to reel in.

A Group 2 (ichidan) compound verb from 手繰る (to pull in hand over hand, to reel) and 寄せる (to bring close, to draw near). Originally describes pulling in a rope, net, or fishing line by hauling it toward oneself with both hands. Figuratively it is used for drawing people, information, or opportunities closer to oneself through deliberate effort.

Examples

1. 漁師は網を手繰り寄せながら、今日の漁獲を確かめた。 The fisherman reeled in the net hand over hand, checking the day's catch.
2. 刑事は断片的な証拠を手繰り寄せて、ついに事件の全貌を解明した。 The detective pieced together fragmentary evidence and finally uncovered the full picture of the case.
3. 彼女は優れた人脈を手繰り寄せることで、短期間でプロジェクトを成功に導いた。 By drawing on an exceptional network of contacts, she led the project to success in a short space of time.

Usage Guide

Context: fishing, investigation, networking, literary prose

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 手繰る (to pull hand over hand; from 手 'hand' + 繰る 'to reel, to handle') and 寄せる (to draw near). The image is of a fisherman hauling a net toward himself, one armful at a time.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo–Present

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal