取り締まる

• Reading: とりしまる
• Romaji: torishimaru
• Kanji breakdown: 取 (to/shu) — to take; 締 (shi/tei) — to tighten, close
• Pronunciation: /to.ɾi.ɕi.ma.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To manage; to control; to supervise; to crack down on; to regulate or enforce rules.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb. Commonly used in law enforcement and regulatory contexts. The noun form 取り締まり (crackdown/enforcement) is equally common. Related: 取締役 (torishimariyaku) means 'company director.'

Examples

1. 警察は飲酒運転を厳しく取り締まっている。 The police are strictly cracking down on drunk driving.
2. 違法駐車の取り締まりが強化された。 Enforcement against illegal parking has been stepped up.
3. ネット上の詐欺を取り締まる法律が必要だ。 There is a need for laws to crack down on online fraud.

Usage Guide

Context: law enforcement, regulation, business

Tone: authoritative

Origin & History

Compound of 取り (taking) and 締まる (to tighten/close). The sense is of taking charge and tightening control over a situation.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal