Japanese symbol for “tackle”

取り組む

とりくむ

Romaji: torikumu

to grapple with; to wrestle with; to engage in a bout; to be matched against

In Japanese, tackle is 取り組む, read とりくむ (torikumu).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

v5m, vi to grapple with; to wrestle with; to engage in a bout; to be matched against
v5m, vi to tackle (e.g. a problem); to come to grips with; to work hard on

Written forms: 取り組む、取組む. Readings: とりくむ.

Kanji and stroke order

取

take, fetch, take up

on: シュ
kun: と.る、と.り、と.り-、とり

8 strokes · JLPT 2

組

association, braid, plait

on: ソ
kun: く.む、くみ、-ぐみ

11 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “tackle”

Word	Reading	Meaning
挑む	いどむ idomu	to tackle (e.g. a problem); to attempt; to go after (a prize, record, etc.)
滑車	かっしゃ kassha	pulley; block; tackle
タックル	タックル takkuru	tackle (in rugby, hockey, etc.)
索具	さくぐ sakugu	rigging; gear; tackle
取っ組む	とっくむ tokkumu	to tackle (e.g. a problem); to come to grips with; to work hard on

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
取引	とりひき torihiki	transactions; dealings; business
買取	かいとり kaitori	purchase; buying; buying out
取得	しゅとく shutoku	obtaining (a qualification, right, object, etc.); acquisition (of land, property, etc.); gaining possession (of)
取る	とる toru	to take; to pick up; to grab
取材	しゅざい shuzai	gathering material (for an article, novel, etc.); collecting information; covering (an event, incident, etc.)
取締役	とりしまりやく torishimariyaku	company director; board member
番組	ばんぐみ bangumi	program (e.g. TV); programme
組織	そしき soshiki	organization; organisation; formation

See also: Chinese symbol for “tackle”.

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.