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取り柄 (とりえ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N1 Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Meanings 1
noun
worth ; merit ; strong point ; redeeming feature
Refers to a person's or thing's positive quality, talent, or redeeming feature. Often used in negative constructions like 取り柄がない (to have no redeeming qualities).
この 料りょう 理り は 見み た 目め は 悪わる い が 、 味あじ が 取と り 柄え だ 。
This dish looks bad, but its strong point is the taste.
Written forms 取と り 柄え Usage 47%
Standard kanji spelling; the most common written form.
とりえ Usage 29%
Kana spelling, common in casual writing or when avoiding kanji ambiguity.
取とり 柄え Usage 19%
取と りえ Usage 5%
取と り 得え
Alternate kanji spelling, less common but still seen.
取とり 得え
Rare variant; easily confused with 取得 (しゅとく, 'acquisition').
Similar words 長ちょう 所しょ 長所 is a more formal or objective term for a strong point or advantage, while 取り柄 is often used in a more personal or evaluative context, especially in negative assessments.
美び 点てん 美点 emphasizes a beautiful or admirable trait, often used for character or appearance, whereas 取り柄 can refer to any redeeming feature, even a minor one.
Etymology Compound of 取り (とり, the continuative form of 取る 'to take') + 柄 (え, 'handle, grip; pattern, character'). Literally 'something to take hold of', extended to mean a noteworthy quality or merit.
