Translation guide
Expresses the idea of beginning a task or job with focus and energy. Japanese uses various verbs and set phrases depending on whether you start working on something, get down to business, or tackle a task.
To begin working on a specific task or project.
Commonly used to mean 'to set about doing something' or 'to get started on a task'. Often used with the particle に.
彼はすぐに仕事に取り掛かった。
He immediately set to work.
新しいプロジェクトに取り掛かりましょう。
Let's get started on the new project.
A more formal term meaning 'to start work' or 'to embark on', often used in business or official contexts.
会社は新事業に着手した。
The company set to work on a new venture.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'to start work'. Natural in casual conversation.
朝早く仕事を始めた。
I started work early in the morning.
To stop delaying and start working seriously.
Literally 'to put one's hips into it', meaning to get serious and put real effort into a task.
そろそろ本腰を入れて勉強しよう。
It's about time I got down to studying.
Means 'to tackle something seriously'. Used when you commit to a task with full effort.
彼は問題に本気で取り組んだ。
He set to work on the problem in earnest.
To energetically address a challenging job.
Means 'to face up to' or 'to tackle' a difficult task or problem. Implies courage and determination.
彼は困難な仕事に立ち向かった。
He set to work on the difficult task.
A versatile verb meaning 'to grapple with' or 'to work on' a problem or task. Often used with に.
取り掛かる is more common in everyday speech and implies physically starting a task. 着手する is formal and often used for projects or official undertakings.
Many of these expressions use the particle に to mark the task being started (e.g., 仕事に取り掛かる).
The team is setting to work on the assignment.