取り上げる

• Reading: とりあげる
• Romaji: toriageru
• Kanji breakdown: 取 (shu/to) — take; 上 (jou/a) — up, raise
• Pronunciation: /to.ɾi.a.ɡe.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To take up; to pick up; to confiscate. Selecting a topic for discussion or removing something from someone.

A Group 2 (ichidan) transitive verb conjugated by dropping る (取り上げない, 取り上げます). Has two main uses: (1) to take up a topic or issue (ニュースで取り上げる, to cover in the news), and (2) to confiscate or take away (おもちゃを取り上げる, to take away a toy). Context determines which meaning is intended. Also used for delivering babies (赤ちゃんを取り上げる).

Examples

1. このテーマはテレビのニュースでも取り上げられた。 This topic was even covered on the TV news.
2. 授業中にスマホを先生に取り上げられた。 My phone got confiscated by the teacher during class.
3. 会議で新しい提案を取り上げることになった。 It was decided that the new proposal would be taken up at the meeting.

Usage Guide

Context: media, education, business

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound verb from 取る (to take) and 上げる (to raise up). Together, 'to take and raise' — picking something up or elevating a topic.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal