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取りすがる (とりすがる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

取とりすがる

と

り

す

が

る

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

cling to; grab onto desperately

Describes clinging tightly to someone or something, often in desperation or strong emotion. Implies physical contact and a sense of urgency.

彼かの女じょは泣なきながら彼かれの腕うでに取とりすがった。
She clung to his arm, crying.
子こ供どもは母はは親おやのスカートに取

と

りすがっ

て

離はな

れ

なかっ

た

。

The child grabbed onto his mother's skirt and wouldn't let go.

Written forms

取とりすがるUsage53%
Standard mixed kanji-kana spelling; the verb is often written with 取り in kanji and the rest in kana.
とりすがるUsage33%
Kana-only spelling; used when the kanji is avoided or for clarity.
取とり縋すがるUsage14%
Full kanji spelling using 縋る; less common and may be harder to read.
取とり縋すがる
Abbreviated kanji spelling; rare and may be confused with other readings.

Kanji

取take, fetch, take up
縋cling, hang on, depend

Similar words

すがる
すがる also means to cling or rely on, but 取りすがる emphasizes a more forceful, desperate physical grabbing with the hands.
しがみつく
しがみつく means to cling tightly, often with the whole body, and can be used more broadly for holding on stubbornly. 取りすがる focuses on grabbing with hands in a pleading or urgent manner.

Etymology

Compound of 取り (from 取る, 'to take') and すがる ('to cling'). The prefix 取り- adds a sense of doing something firmly or with one's hands.