Translation guide
The English phrasal verb 'take up' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: starting a hobby, occupying space/time, accepting an offer, and more. Each meaning is presented with natural Japanese expressions.
To begin doing a new hobby, sport, or regular activity.
The most common and versatile way to say 'take up' a hobby. Used with the object marked by を.
最近、ヨガを始めました。
I recently took up yoga.
彼は退職後に絵を描くことを始めた。
He took up painting after retirement.
Emphasizes the start of doing something. Slightly more casual than 始める alone.
健康のためにジョギングをやり始めた。
I took up jogging for my health.
Literally 'put one's hand out', meaning to try or dabble in something new, often with a nuance of casual or tentative involvement. Can also mean 'to get involved in' something negative.
Can imply meddling or getting involved in something bad depending on context.
To fill or use an amount of space or time.
Used when something takes up a proportion of space, time, or a whole area. Often used with percentages or large areas.
To agree to an offer, invitation, or challenge.
To begin to discuss or address a subject, issue, or matter.
To make a piece of clothing shorter by hemming or adjusting.
Specifically means to shorten a garment by taking up the hem or seams.
To absorb or soak up a liquid.
General term for absorbing liquid, light, or knowledge.
この布は水をよく吸収する。
This cloth takes up water well.
Do not translate 'take up' word-for-word as 取る上げる or similar. It is a phrasal verb with many meanings, each requiring a different Japanese expression.
Use 始める for starting hobbies or activities. Use 引き受ける for accepting tasks or responsibilities. They are not interchangeable.
彼は株に手を出した。
He took up stock trading (dabbled in stocks).
このソファは部屋の半分を占めている。
This sofa takes up half the room.
仕事が一日の大半を占める。
Work takes up most of my day.
Commonly used for taking up time or space, often with words like 時間 (time) or 場所 (space).
この机は場所を取る。
This desk takes up a lot of space.
通勤に時間を取られる。
Commuting takes up my time.
Means to block or occupy a space so that it cannot be used for anything else. Often used for physical obstruction.
荷物が通路をふさいでいる。
The luggage is taking up the aisle.
To take on a task, responsibility, or request. Implies accepting something that requires effort.
彼はその仕事を引き受けた。
He took up the task.
挑戦を引き受ける。
To take up a challenge.
To accept or comply with an offer, invitation, or request. More formal than 引き受ける.
招待に応じる。
To take up an invitation.
彼はその申し出に応じた。
He took up the offer.
To accept or receive something like a challenge, order, or request. Less formal than 応じる.
彼は挑戦を受けて立った。
He took up the challenge.
To take up a topic for discussion, or to feature something in media. Commonly used in meetings or news.
会議でその問題を取り上げた。
We took up the issue at the meeting.
新聞がその事件を大きく取り上げた。
The newspaper took up the incident prominently.
To deal with or handle a topic, often in a systematic way. Used for subjects in books, courses, etc.
この本は環境問題を扱っている。
This book takes up environmental issues.
このズボンの裾を詰めてもらえますか？
Could you take up the hem of these pants?
Also means to shorten or raise a hem, often used for skirts or dresses.
スカートの丈を上げる。
To take up the length of a skirt.
To absorb or blot up liquid, often with a specific tool like a sponge.
こぼした水をタオルで吸い取った。
I took up the spilled water with a towel.