取り消す

• Reading: とりけす
• Romaji: torikesu
• Kanji breakdown: 取 (shu/to) — take, fetch; 消 (shou/ke) — erase, extinguish
• Pronunciation: /to.ɾi.ke.sɯ/

Meaning

To cancel; to withdraw; to retract. Taking back a statement, order, or reservation.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb conjugating with the す row. A compound verb from 取る (take) and 消す (erase). Used for cancelling reservations (予約を取り消す), retracting statements (発言を取り消す), and revoking licences. More formal than キャンセルする.

Examples

1. 予約を取り消したいのですが。 I'd like to cancel my reservation.
2. 先ほどの発言を取り消します。 I retract my earlier statement.
3. 注文を取り消すことはできますか。 Is it possible to cancel the order?

Usage Guide

Context: customer service, business, formal speech

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

A compound verb from 取る (to take) and 消す (to erase, to extinguish). Literally means to take away and erase — to undo something previously arranged or said.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal